A total of 72 former senators who identified as Non-Serving Senators of the Second to the Fourth Republics have endorsed Godswill Akpabio to be elected President of the 10th Senate.

The convener of the group, Basheer Lado, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, also supported the nomination of Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) to be the Deputy Senate President.

Mr Lado who is a former Senator from Kano Central in the 7th National Assembly said the endorsement of Messrs Akpabio and Jibrin was reached with the consideration of equity, fairness, political expediency, and after lengthy deliberations with stakeholders. 

Mr Akpabio is one of the leading aspirants for the Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly. It is however uncertain how the endorsement of the former senators who don’t have voting rights in the 10th Senate would enhance his chances.

Last week Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, had dropped his bid and endorsed Mr Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs.

Meanwhile in its address, the senators said the National Assembly deserves capable and level-headed leaders with experience to manage its operations especially “at a trying period in our nation’s political history.

“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.

“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate  be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.

List of members in support of the group’s position on the 10^th National Assembly Leadership

1. Sen. Ben Ayade

2. Sen. George Akume

3. Sen. Basheer Lado

4. Sen. Rilwan Akanbi

5. Sen. Barnabas Gemade​​​​

6. Sen. Grace Bent

7. Sen. Binta Masi Garba

8. Sen. Ayogu Eze

9. Sen. Andy Uba

10. Sen. Ibrahim Ida 

11. Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora​​

12. Sen. Anthony Adeniyi​​​

13. Sen. Ganiyu Solomon​​​

14. Sen. Gbenga Obadara​​​

15. Sen. Gbenga Kaka​​​

16. Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro​​​

17. Sen. Arise Ayo​​​​

18. Sen. Felix Kolawole Bajomo​​

19. Sen. Hassain Mudashiru​​​

20. Sen. Domingo Obende​​​

21. Sen. Wilson Ake​​​​

22. Sen. Ita Enang​​​​

23. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri​​

24. Sen. Clever Ikisikpo

25. Sen. Ita Giwa

26. Sen. Ibrahim Musa​​​

27. Sen. Alex Kadiri​​​​

28. Sen. Ocheja Emma Dangana

29. Sen. Jibriu Wowo

30. Sen. Isa Maina

31. Sen. Mohammed Ohiare​​

32. Sen. Abubakar Sodangi

33. Sen. Joseph Akaagerger​​

34. Sen. Jack Tilley Gyado​​​

35. Sen. Abubakar Tutare​​​

36. Sen. Bello Tukur​​​​

37. Sen. Ahmed Barata​​​​

38. Sen. Abba Aji​​​​​

39. Sen. Mohammed A. Mohammed​​

40. Sen. Umar Idris​​​​​

41. Sen. Adamu Talba​​​​

42. Sen. Sidi Ali​​​​​

43. Sen. Timothy Adudu​​​​

44. Sen. Ishaq Adebayo Salman​​​

45. Sen. Akin Odunsi​​​​​

46. Sen. Seye Ogunlewe​​​​​

47. Sen. Fatima Raji Rasaki​​​

48. Sen. Lanre Tejuoso​​​​

49. Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu​​​​

50. Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo

51. Sen. Mohammed Saleh​​​

52. Sen. Sani Kanba​​​​​

53. Sen. Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo​​

54. Sen. Danladi Sankara

55. Sen. Mohammed Ibrahim​

56. Sen. Sola Adeyeye

57. Sen. Anthony Agbo​​​

58. Sen. Ikechukwu Obior

59. Sen. Chris Adighije​​​

60. Sen. Emma Anosike​​​​

61. Sen. Jalo Zarami

62. Sen. Alkali Jajere

63. Sen. Oladipo Odujinrin

64. Sen. Mohammed Alkali 

65. Sen. Sunday Ogbuoji

66. Sen. Abu Ibrahim

67. Sen. Bello Maitama

68. Sen. Saddiq Yar’adua

69. Sen. Jide Omoworare

70. Sen. Anthony Manzo

71. Sen. Aminu Inuwa

72. Sen. Magnus Abeh