Godswill Akpabio emerge Senate President, Barau deputy; Tajudeen Abbas Speaker House of Reps

Senator Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria’s South-South region has been declared Senate President of the 10th assembly.

Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom governor was the choice of the party hierarchy and President Bola Tinubu ran against Abdul’aziz Yari and on Tuesday.

Akpabio who succeeds Ahmed Lawan who is also a member of the 10th Senate, secured 63 votes to defeat former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul-Azeez Yari, who secured 46 votes.

Recall that in May, the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed the former governor of Akwa-Ibom State to become the next Senate President.

109 senators participated in the voting exercise which ended at 9:15 am.

Akpabio served as a Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also, Senator Jibrin Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District on Tuesday emerged unopposed as deputy senate president.

Senator Dave Umahi nominated Senator Barau as Deputy Senate President and read his citation after which the nominee accepted the nomination.

The Clerk of the Red Chamber after asking if there are further nominations, declared Senator Jibrin Barau as Deputy Senate President unopposed.

Senator Barau was thereafter sworn in as Deputy Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.

In the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas defeated two other candidates, Idris Wase and Sani Jaji to emerge Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

Abass who was favoured by the ruling party for the position polled 353 votes to emerge the winner of the Speakership election.

The other contestants, former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase and Sani Jaji, polled three votes each.

Abass represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, North-west Nigeria and was first elected to the House in 2011. He succeeds Femi Gbajabiamila.