Senator Godswill Akpabio Biography
Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio CON, a Nigerian lawyer and politician born on December 9, 1962, has been the 15th president of the Nigerian Senate from 2023. From 2015 to 2019 and starting in 2023, he represented Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the Senate.
Godswill Akpabio Early life and career
Godswill Akpabio, of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in the Essien Udim Local Government Area, is the son of Chief Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (née Inyangetor). He was conceived on December 9, 1962. Early in life, he lost his father, and his mother reared him.
Godswill Akpabio Education
The Methodist Primary School, Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State; the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and the University of Calabar, Cross River State, are where Akpabio received his education. He also holds a law degree from the University of Calabar.
He was made the Senior Prefect while attending the Federal Government College in Port Harcourt. Akpabio was chosen to serve as the parliamentary year’s speaker at the University of Calabar.
Godswill Akpabio Family and personal life
Okuku Udo Akpabio, Akpabio’s grandfather, served as the province of Ikot Ekpene’s Warrant Chief. In the then-Eastern Nigeria, Dr. I. U. Akpabio served as the minister of education and internal affairs. In the Second Nigerian Republic, his cousin Justice Nsima Akpabio served as a senator.
Catholic Christianity is practiced by Akpabio.Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI), a non-governmental organization that offers a forum for refocusing development efforts on the family as a strategy for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), was founded by Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio.
Akpabio and his wife have a son and four daughters.
Godswill Akpabio Career and employment
Akpabio briefly worked as a teacher and an associate lawyer with the Nigerian law firm Paul Usoro & Co.
Additionally, he was employed with Lagos, Nigeria-based wireless telecommunications firm EMIS Telecoms Limited. He attained the title of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the business in 2002. He played a role in influencing the future of the developing telecoms sector in this capacity. While a director of EMIS, he had previously worked as the national publicity secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria (ATCOM).
Godswill Akpabio Appointments and politics
He was named Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources in 2002 by Akwa Ibom State’s then-Gov. Obong Victor Attah. He held the position of Commissioner between 2002 and 2006 in the Lands and Housing, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministries.
He competed in a contested primary election for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in 2006, defeating 57 other candidates to become the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) nominee. His “let God’s will be done” campaign gained a lot of support, and he was elected governor in 2007. In 2011, he was chosen to serve a second term as the governor of Akwa Ibom State.
He was chosen as the inaugural PDP Governors Forum Chairman in 2013.
He ran for and was elected to represent the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. He received 422,009 out of the 439,449 votes cast while running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, defeating Chief Inibehe Okorie of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 15,152 votes and was proclaimed the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
On July 28, 2015, the PDP’s South-South caucus nominated Akpabio for the position of Senate Minority Leader. The PDP Senate caucus approved his nomination, and the Senate President formally swore him in as the new leader. In the 2015 general elections, the PDP was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the majority.
He announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress in August 2018 and resigned from his position as Senate Minority Leader[31] shortly after. Political rally held in his hometown of Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, to commemorate his defection.[32]
He was proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari for a ministerial job in July 2019, and the Nigerian Senate reviewed his nomination. He was sworn in as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs on August 21, 2019.
Akpabio quit his job as minister for Niger Delta affairs in June 2022 to run in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, but he resigned the night of the primaries to support Bola Tinubu, who ultimately won. He became the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District candidate a few days after the presidential primary elections. However, it was surrounded by allegations of wrongdoing from party members in the State. In the general elections of 2023, he went on to defeat his nearest opponent, Emmanuel Enoidem of the Peoples Democratic Party, winning 115,401 votes to Enoidem’s 69,838.
On June 13, 2023, he defeated Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, who received 46 votes, and was elected president of the Nigerian Senate with 63 votes.
Godswill Akpabio Corruption accusations
at his term as governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007–2015), Godswill Akpabio was the subject of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations that he stole more than 100 billion Naira from the state. American diplomats described the amount of corruption at this time as “exceptional.” But no complaints have been made. Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer who also accused Akpabio of corruption, was later charged with slander by the police and appeared in court.
Members of the House of Representatives summoned Akpabio in May 2020 due to the embezzlement of 40 billion Naira.
Conclusion
Godswill Akpabio’s rise from obscurity to prominence in Nigerian politics is a monument to his fortitude, tenacity, and dedication to the common good. Despite the controversy that has surrounded his career, Akpabio’s contribution to the growth of the Niger Delta and Akwa Ibom State cannot be disregarded. His contributions to healthcare, infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment will go on in perpetuity.
Who is Senator Akpabio?
Soon after the House was seated, Abdul’Aziz Yari of the North-West and Senator Godswill Akpabio of the South-South were both nominated for the job. Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Akpabio won the election with 63 votes, defeating Senator Yari, who received 46 votes as well.
Which state is Akpabio from?
Godswill Akpabio, of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in the Essien Udim Local Government Area, is the son of Chief Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (née Inyangetor). He was conceived on December 9, 1962. Early in life, he lost his father, and his mother reared him.
Has Godswill Akpabio faced any legal consequences due to corruption allegations?
The charges of corruption against Akpabio have not yet resulted in any significant judicial repercussions for him. However, to look into these claims, there have been inquiries and legal actions.
What philanthropic initiatives has Godswill Akpabio been involved in?
Akpabio has been extensively involved in charitable endeavors, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, and youth empowerment. He has supported scholarships, hospitals, and programs for youth development.
