Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has confidently stated that the next Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be Godswill Akpabio, the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He made this statement during a meeting with Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State in Calabar, which was also attended by Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Governor Ganduje went on to declare that the Senate President will come from the South-South region of the country and that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State is the perfect candidate for the position. He referred to Akpabio as an "uncommon governor," an "uncommon minister," and someone who will become the "uncommon president of the Senate." He added that they have already resolved that Akpabio will become the Senate President, saying:
“I am giving you assurance, we are waiting for the D-Day that he will be the senate president of Nigeria.”