Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has charged Senators Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau to keep the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company in their mind when they assume the leadership of the Senate.
Bello gave the charge when he received members of the Senate Stability Group, who came to thank him for his support for the Akpabio/Barau project in Abuja.
The governor emphasized on the developmental needs of Kogi State and North Central zone.
“Please when you emerge the Senate President by the special grace of God, have Kogi State and the development of the North Central zone in your mind, particularly the completion and commissioning of the over 90 percent execution of Ajaokuta Steel Company,” he said.
Bello said before the zoning of the Senate President position became an issue, he had already told the three Senators from Kogi to team up with Akpabio because he trusts Akpabio’s leadership prowess.
He also stated that Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was his role model adding that the senator’s uncommon style of governance as governor of Akwa Ibom State, endeared him to want to be like the former governor.
In his speech, the Senate Presidential hopeful, Senator Akpabio, thanked Governor Bello for his unsolicited support for his aspiration, saying, “I am just hearing from you now that even before I declared my interest in the Senate Leadership, you were already mobilizing for me. Thank you sir.
“Let me assure you that the 10th Senate is determined to work for Nigerians in a bipartisan manner. We believe strongly that President Tinubu is a total Nigerian. His election was across party lines and that is what we are also bringing to the Senate. We will look at legislations that would make our youth positively engaged to reduce banditry and crimes. We will also support the war against corruption,” he stressed.
Those who also spoke included the party’s preferred deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Senator Ali Ndume and Senator-elect Dave Umahi.
