Akpabio Tells Ex-Senator Effiong Bob to Withdraw Son from State Assembly Over Godfatherism

Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has criticized lawmakers who openly condemn godfatherism but engage in it in private, arguing that effective opposition to the practice requires personal examples.

Speaking at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja, on Saturday, Akpabio discussed the book The Burdens of Legislators in Nigeria, which was written by former Senator Effiong Bob.

Former Senate President David Mark presided over the ceremony.

During the event, Akpabio responded to debates over godfatherism by pointing out what he called inconsistencies in the positions of certain political figures.

Not to mention that the son of a well-known senator is one of the members of the House of Assembly. Akpabio stated, “I said, okay, when I heard that he was against godfatherism.”

“Maybe you will remove your son from the House of Assembly as a first step in demonstrating your opposition to godfatherism,” he continued.

According to the Senate President, it is contradictory to denounce godfatherism while purportedly enjoying its benefits.

It is impossible to practice anything on the right side while pronouncing it on the left. If not, that would be equivalent to both approving and criticism,” he said.

On the other hand, Akpabio conceded that the legislator was doing well in the assembly.

Let the boy stay, though. In the House, he is even serving his second term. “He is currently serving his second term and is one of the leaders of the House of Assembly,” he stated.