By Hajo Sani Bello

When on Wednesday, August 9, 2018, Godswill Akpabio, finally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), after months of speculations, denials, body language, and all that have formed part of Nigeria’s political characteristics, not a few political watchers in Nigeria were, stunned, many were stupefied. And not a few questioned what could be responsible for such a seemingly rash if not reckless political decision.

The full answer to that question, came on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, close to five years after. It came, not in words but in full outcomes, when Akpabio took the oath of office as the 10th President of the Nigerian Senate.

There could only be one interpretation to this - Obong Godswill Akpabio sees a clear in-road where many of his ilks probably see thick forests - just like an eagle from the mountaintop observes a hidden prey far beneath the valley where no human eyes could reach. That is probably why the tag "uncommon", was attached to his persona a long time ago by his admirers, and which he has come to hug, now seems so fitting like a second skin.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been able to prove himself as a politicians’ politician due to sheer dint of spectacular characteristics and behaviors that have combined to make him stand out in the crowd willy-nilly like a golden fish, in the same manner, he burrows through the rocks and hard places - tearing down heavy barriers to achieving huge political outcomes. For not only has he proved himself a maverick, but Akpabio has also acquired the title of the most misunderstood politician in Nigeria, very difficult to decode by his allies and foes alike.

Now who is Obong Godswill Akpabio? A young lawyer from the private sector who got appointed a Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State by Gov Victor Attah. That little spark was all the young Godswill Akpabio needed. He fanned it so quickly into a flourishing flame blazing through every shadow forged by his hitherto political obscurity. Governor Attah had rescue missions lined up for him. He was posted to wherever was leaking in the then-PDP government. Yet, despite his sterling performance, he was about to be overlooked by the same authority that relied so heavily on him to deliver when and where it mattered most.

Undaunted by his principal's treachery, Akpabio soldiered on. Who would have thought that his foray into the ring before the 2007 governorship elections would have been so resoundingly successful in the manner it did, even with the obstacles on his way, including from his predecessor, who, though saw all the potential in him, as the shining star of his government, but still tried to stop him? What he did with Akwa-Ibom State, transforming her into a primus destination for both investors and tourists is a fact of history that even his worst critics will oblige him.

Then fast-forward to his defection from the PDP to APC. This is where many, including yours, sincerely misunderstood him and misjudged him. While his friends held their breadth and pined away at this supposedly obvious mistake, his political foes rejoiced at his would-soon-be downfall. Not only did he eventually defect, but he did so in such a manner to underscore the level of his political stature. Close to half of the Senate practically emptied into the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, where the event took place in solidarity. In addition to the hundreds of other notable politicians from Nigeria and the state, the event soon assumed a loud, carnival nature as it is with Akpabio.

A stunned Ahmad Lawan, then APC Majority Leader, who later became the Senate President, who introduced Akpabio at the event, excitedly described the event as an uncommon defection. In a sharp reaction, many of his followers who misread this as a betrayal turned from following him, and very soon, hired women groups sang on the streets condemning his actions. Fast forward again to June 2022, APC primary elections were held at Eagle's Square Abuja. Godswill Akpabio here displayed what was to provide further proof of his political trajectory, and why many who cannot understand his sagacity easily misjudge him.

His political crystal ball had shown him that His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be President and not him, hence his decision to subsume his ambition for the same job. An insistence that would have led to his slugging it out with the former Governor of Lagos State for the APC Presidential ticket for 2023.

In the words of Shakespeare - "there's a tide in the affairs of men, taken at the head leadeth unto fortune, omitted, their voyages end in destruction". Akpabio clear-headed as ever, instead, of continuing down the road of competition with Tinubu, made another quick and uncommon move that encouraged other aspirants to step down after showing an example himself in the full glare of a bewildered nation.

He left his supporters stranded and his haters guessing. But this was a favor Tinubu seems not to have forgotten, given his frontal support for Akpabio’s bid for the 3rd highest political position in the Country. And whilst a coalition of forces plotted against his ambition, they failed woefully because he was a step ahead, having locked in the most critical support base back in June 2022.

In his acceptance speech, immediately after his emergence, Akpabio spelled out his raison d’etre - to lead a new NASS that would promulgate laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through oversight functions. He told his colleagues: “Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regarding us, and our roles in building a better, safer, more inclusive, prosperous, efficient, and ethical country.

Our laws must, therefore, align with the vision of Mr. President to protect and provide for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth. “And recognizing where the ultimate power of success lies he stated: “To God Almighty the creator of the universe, who alone is supreme be all glory, honor, majesty, dominion, and power. I bow before you and acknowledge your inestimable control of all that we do and that we are.”

Finally, let it be in the record that the last NASS leadership Akpabio is replacing is believed to be the worst in the history of the Nigerian legislature. His predecessor was quoted as saying that whatever the executive brought must be approved because he believed President Muhammadu Buhari, as he then was, had good intentions. The result of that is the reckless approvals of loans that have seen the nation’s debt profile ballooning to N77 trillion, at the same time Nigeria firmly assumed the poverty capital of the world.

Now that Godswill Akpabio, our Senate President has promised a new package, it remains to be seen whether he would also become the Uncommon Senate President that would propel the type of NASS Nigerians have been waiting for.

Fortunately, the God he says he relies on, has equipped him with the major gifts so many of his ilk lack. One of them stands out is his power of conviction. It is said that if you want to hate Akpabio, do not suffer for him to talk with or to you. For you will melt at his charm and eloquence.

How he deploys these talents in the days ahead to solve Nigeria’s problems depends on him. But judging from his brilliant strides as Governor of Akwa Ibom, and his brief stay on the saddle as Minister for the Niger Delta. Nigeria and Nigerians can't wait.

Hajo Sani Bello is a public commentator and live in Abuja, Nigeria.