It can only happen in Nigeria! The land of endless possibilities, where political careers blossom like exotic, albeit suspiciously fragrant, flowers. Today, let’s look into the captivating saga of Senator Godswill Akpabio, a man whose journey from the hallowed halls of Akwa Ibom’s Government House to the esteemed (and occasionally rowdy) chambers of the Nigerian Senate is a masterclass in… well, let’s just call it “Nigerian politics.”
Before he graced the political stage with his presence, Akpabio, a man of many talents, apparently dabbled in teaching, law, and even the glamorous world of telecommunications, rising to the dizzying height of CEO at EMIS Telecoms Limited. One can only imagine the sheer fortune amassed in those pre-political days, entirely through honest toil and perhaps a few incredibly lucky sure odds wins on Akin Alabi’s Bet9ja.
Then he became the governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007-2015), a period fondly remembered for the “Uncommon Transformation” – a whirlwind of infrastructure projects that surely materialized through the most transparent and cost-effective means imaginable. However, whispers, like persistent mosquitoes, began to circulate about certain “allegations” of corruption and misappropriation of funds.
Critics, those pesky individuals who always seem to misunderstand the complexities of the rocket science of governance, dared to suggest that public funds might have taken a detour into private pockets. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ever so diligent, even launched an investigation in 2015 into these “financial activities”. Imagine their surprise (or perhaps not) when they reportedly found allegations of over ₦100 billion – yes, that’s billions with a “B” – having allegedly been diverted during his tenure. Some overly enthusiastic groups even claimed the figure was closer to a staggering ₦700 billion or even a cool ₦1 trillion! One wonders if Akwa Ibom was secretly printing money on the side.
Our man of the people, however, remained unfazed. He “voluntarily honored” the EFCC’s invitations , claiming it was all the work of a “young lawyer” from his state with a vendetta. Because, you know, that’s how these things usually go. It’s never about the actual money, just disgruntled individuals with too much time on their hands.
The EFCC, bless their persistent hearts, kept popping up in Akpabio’s career like an unwelcome relative at a wedding. There were allegations of a N40 billion fraud during his time as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , leading to some rather uncomfortable moments in front of House of Representatives members. Akpabio, in a moment of what some might call “uncommon candor,” suggested that perhaps some of those very lawmakers were beneficiaries of NDDC contracts themselves. A bold move, indeed!
And let’s not forget the alleged attempt to grease the palms of the EFCC Chairman with a cool $350,000. Sources say he was detained for a whole two hours! One can only imagine the inconvenience. But fear not, a call from the “Villa” reportedly secured his release. Such is the power of connection!
Now, how does a man with such a colorful history of financial scrutiny end up as the President of the Nigerian Senate? Ah, that’s where the real magic happens. After his governorship, Akpabio, in a move that surprised absolutely no one in Nigerian politics, became a Senator in 2015. He even had a stint as Senate Minority Leader. But in 2019, in a twist worthy of a Nollywood blockbuster, he lost his bid for re-election.
Did that deter our “Uncommon Transformer”? Of course not! He was then appointed as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs. Because in Nigeria, losing an election is often just a stepping stone to even greater heights.
Fast forward to the 2023 elections. Akpabio, ever the political strategist, initially threw his hat in the ring for the presidency but then, in a selfless act of party loyalty (or perhaps strategic maneuvering), stepped down for Bola Tinubu. And what do you know? He then miraculously secured the senatorial ticket for Akwa Ibom North-West, despite some “accusations of foul play”. It’s almost as if divine intervention was at play.
And finally, the pièce de résistance: the Senate Presidency. On June 13, 2023, against all odds (and perhaps a few lingering corruption allegations), Godswill Akpabio became the President of the Nigerian Senate. He even defeated a fellow contender who was backed by some APC governors. Talk about political sagacity!
So, there you have it. The “uncommon” journey of Godswill Akpabio, a man who has faced a veritable buffet of corruption allegations, yet has managed to ascend to one of the highest offices in the land. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Nigerian politics, where yesterday’s headlines are often today’s footnotes, and where the path to power can be as winding and unpredictable as a poorly constructed Akwa Ibom road project (no offense intended, of course). One can only marvel at his resilience and the sheer… uncommonness of it all.
