Choose visionaries, not loyal puppets — Akpabio warns governors on successors

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a strong warning to state governors, especially those serving their second terms, urging them to prioritize competence and vision over blind loyalty when choosing their successors.

Speaking at the commissioning of the first 30 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lekki on Saturday, Akpabio cautioned against handing over power to individuals simply because they appear submissive or overly deferential.

“Don’t choose someone just because they kneel down or pretend to be loyal,” Akpabio said. “They may end up disappointing you once they get into power.”

Drawing from his experience as a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio emphasized that leadership should not be based on flattery but on the capacity to govern effectively and drive development. He noted that the wrong choice of a successor often leads to failed governance and fractured relationships.

“Look for someone with vision—someone who can lead with purpose and contribute to the growth of your state, not just someone who tells you what you want to hear,” he added.

The high-profile event was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and several second-term governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Hope Uzodimma (Imo).

Akpabio lauded President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as a man with both “sight and vision.” He urged All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to emulate the president by focusing on merit and capability in succession planning.

His comments come amid persistent concerns over the culture of godfatherism in Nigerian politics, where outgoing governors often install loyalists to retain control behind the scenes.