10th ASSEMBLY
AKPABIO EMERGE AS THE 10TH SENATE PRESIDENT.

Senator Godswill Akpabio has been elected President of the 10th National Assembly.

He defeated his opponent and Zamfara West counterpart, Abdulaziz Yari, to clinch the keenly contested election.

Godswill Akpabio  is a candidate of the All Progressives Congress, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom , served as a Minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022, represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial zone.

Before the contest, Senator Ali Ndume had nominated Akpabio while Senator Elisha Abbo nominated Yari.

Yari’s nomination however did not go down well with Senator Tahir Mungono, who noted that Yari’s nomination was unconstitutional.Mungono’s stance however lead to a rowdy session before the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Magaji, who presided over the session, ruled the Borno lawmaker out of order, saying he will only rely on Order 3 of the Senate Standing Rules to elect the President of the Senate. After the election, Senator Akpabio was declared winner by the National Assembly clerk, Sani Tambuwal.

From the 109 votes cast, Senator Akpabio received the most votes.
Akpabio got 63 votes while Yari had 45 while one person abstained from voting.

In a related development, Senator Jibrin Barau also emerged as Deputy President of the Senate.

His election followed his nomination by Senator-elect Dave Umahi.

Meanwhile the lawmakers remain senators-elect until they are inaugurated.

President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio is expected to administer oath of office on all other Lawmakers.