Factors that produced Akpabio, Abbas emerged as Senate president, Speaker

The battle for the position of the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the new political dispensation may have been the keenest since the restoration of democracy in 1999. LEON USIGBE, TAIWO AMODU and KEHINDE AKINTOLA capture some behind-the-scene activities and drama that threw up the new leadership of the National Assembly.

Former Akwa- Ibom State Governor and Senator representing Akwa— Ibom North West, Godswill Akpabio emerged on Tuesday as President of the Senate. In a chamber of 109 senators, the former Minority Leader in the  eighth Senate polled 63 votes to defeat his rival from Zamfara West, AbdulAziz Yari, who scored 46 votes. For the office of deputy president of the Senate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) favoured candidate and senator representing Kano North, Barau Jibrin was elected unopposed.

Clerk of the National Assembly,  Sani Tambawal, presided over the session which commenced few minutes after 8am. Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, nominated Senator Akpabio for the office of Senate President and was seconded by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West); senator representing Adamawa North, Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo moved the nomination for Senator Abdul Aziz Yari.

There was, however, drama on the floor of the Red Chamber as the senator representing Borno North,  Tahir Monguno, objected to the nomination. Citing Senate Order 3  Rule 1, Senator Monguno claimed that Yari was not eligible for the exalted seat of president of the Senate. There was a lot of back and forth over the issue as arguments raged over whether Yari was a ranking Senator. He was overruled by the Clerk of the National Assembly. Senator-elect, Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, seconded the nomination of Senator Yari.

Former Ebonyi State governor and senator representing Ebonyi South, Dave Umahi, nominated Senator Jibrin for the seat of deputy president of the Senate and the motion was seconded by Kwara Central, Salihu Mustapha. Senator Jibrin was returned unopposed as there was no counter nomination.

The Deputy Director-General media Yari Senate Presidency campaign organisation,  Senator Addul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi Central) lauded the election of Akpabio, describing the process as free, fair and credible.