Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has asked Nigerians not to judge him by his record as a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

Akpabio said this in an interview with journalists in Abuja this weekend.

The senator-elect, who is eyeing the presidency of Nigeria’s senate, resigned in 2022 to contest the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He had stepped down for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who won the ticket and eventually emerged winner of the 2023 presidential election.

“I do know that I have not changed in any way. I am somebody God has given and allowed me to be an uncommon transformer wherever I go. I will not like to be judged by ministerial appointment for Niger Delta, which everybody knows is a problematic place,” Akpabio was quoted to have said in the interview.

“But I would like to be judged by my record as a lawyer of 36 years, Commissioner of six years, and governor of eight years.