Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged state governors, particularly those in their second term, to be wise and thoughtful when choosing their successors.
Speaking during the commissioning of the first 30 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lekki, Lagos, Akpabio cautioned that picking someone just because they show excessive loyalty such as kneeling or acting overly submissive can lead to disappointment and betrayal once they assume power.
Akpabio, who is a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, advised governors not to hand over power to individuals who are not genuinely prepared or qualified to lead, warning that such choices often result in governance failures and strained relationships.
He spoke on the importance of selecting leaders with a clear vision for progress, not just those who flatter or appear obedient.
The event, held on Saturday, was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Works Minister Dave Umahi, and several second-term governors including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Hope Uzodimma of Imo.
Akpabio praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as someone with both “sight and vision,” and encouraged other APC governors to follow his example by prioritising capable and visionary individuals over those simply loyal to them.
His comments come amid long-standing concerns over godfatherism in Nigerian politics, where outgoing governors often install loyalists as successors to maintain influence.
However, such arrangements frequently lead to conflicts when the new leaders assert their independence, resulting in public fallouts and power struggles.
