APA – Lagos (Nigeria) ‘
The former governor of Akwa Ibom state in South South geo-political zone of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Tuesday in Abuja sworn in as the Senate President of the nation’s 10th National Assembly.
Senator Akpabio emerged the winner in the election conducted by the Clerk of the National Assembly for the third highest office in Nigeria when he garnered 63 votes to defeat his opponent Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who polled 46 votes.
Sen. Barau Jubrin of the APC was also elected as the Deputy Senate President.
Akpabio, 60, a lawyer had served as state before becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom state for two terms. Before his election as Senate President, Akpabio the minority leader of the 8th Senate.
He also served as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
In the election conducted at the House of Representatives, the member representing Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State in northern Nigeria, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, of the APC defeated Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, while the member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu says that he is committed to a transparent working relationship with the 10th National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
In a congratulatory message to the principal officers of the National Assembly, Tinubu
Said: “We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.
“As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life.”
GIK/APA