10th NASS Akpabio Emerges Senate President
Senator Godswill Akpabio has been elected President of the 10th Senate following a rowdy session at the red chamber.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa-Ibom State and lawmaker from Akwa Ibom North West emerged winner after polling 63 votes to defeat his opponent, Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara State governor, who got 46 votes.
The result was announced by the clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambuwal.
He said 107 senators voted.
Akpabio was the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the seat of number 3 citizen, but was challenged by Yari, who is also of the APC.
Akpabio was nominated by Ali Ndume (Borno) and seconded by Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun); while Yari was nominated by Elisha Abbo (Adamawa) and seconded by Jimoh Ibrahim.
Some APC members had entreated Yari to drop his ambition to make it a smooth sail for Akpabio but the former governor vowed to fight to the finish.
He was the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the seat of number 3 citizen but was challenged by Senator Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara North West, who is also of the APC.
Earlier, Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South, nominated Akpabio while Senator-elect Elisha Abbo from Adamawa North nominated Yari.
