Live Updates:
The senator-elect representing Kano South, Jibrin Barau, has emerged as the Senate Deputy President unopposed.
His emergence followed his nomination by the former Governor of Ebonyi State and senator-elect, David Umahi (Ebonyi South).
A member-elect (Kwara North), Salisu Mustapha, supported the nomination.
Godswill Akpabio Elected Senate President.
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has been Elected Senate President of 10th National Assembly”
Akpabio sworn in as Senate President
Senator Godswill Akpabio has Taken Oath of office as Senate President Following Election Triumph.
Senator Godwill Akpabio and Aziz Yari Nominated for Senate President as 10th National Assembly Commences in Abuja.
All 55 members-elect of the House of Representatives from the South-South geopolitical zone have endorsed Rep. Tajudeen Abbas to emerge as speaker of the 10th Assembly..
In a statement by the Abba Campaign Team on Monday, the members-elect also endorsed Rep. Benjamin Kalu as Deputy Speaker in the June 13 elections.
The statement said that the endorsement had brought the number of incoming lawmakers backing the ticket to over 290.
Addressing the candidates and their team, Rep. Unyime Idem, a member-elect from Akwa Ibom, stated that it had come to a point where the South-South caucus must key into the vision and agenda of the Abbas/Kalu ticket.
Idem, a Co-ordinator in the Abbas Campaign Team, said that the Abbas/Kalu ticket had been vigorously promoted by the Joint Task 10th Assembly Coalition.
Idem expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the South South for trusting him with the task of conveying their decision to the Joint Task.
“I consider it a great privilege welcoming our incoming Speaker and Deputy by the grace of God. As a coordinator, it gives me pleasure to announce that we have 55 members of the South-South caucus who have penned their signatures in support of the joint ticket.
“I therefore want to assure you that we will have the whole 55 as they are going to appear in the chamber on Tuesday to give you 55 votes from the South-South geopolitical zone,” Idem said.
In response to the announcement, the co-Chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rep. Usman Kumo (APC-Gombe), thanked Idem for his leadership so far in the course of the campaign.
According to him, “55-over-55 is something we are not surprised, given the level of support we have enjoyed from key members of the caucus.
“As I stand before you, raised by destiny and privilege to steer this ship, I have my elder brothers with me, particularly from the South-South, such as Rep. Kingsley Chinda.
“I want to say that the zone has paid its due and what is remaining now is for Abbas and Kalu to reciprocate at the end of the day.
“And I want to assure you that by the character of the incoming Speaker and his Deputy, you will not be disappointed.”
Also, Kalu expressed gratitude to the caucus for believing in the initiative to institutionalise a legislature anchored on the principles of equity and inclusiveness.
Kalu said the campaign, which started like a ‘mustard seed’, had germinated and grown to a level of acceptance and support from members-elect across the country.
“I stand here also as part of the South and I said to myself that getting the endorsements of the South-East and South-West was not going to be complete for me without having the South-South.
“I thank God, the South-South has completed the circle by adopting us and we are so very grateful.
“I want to appreciate you for coming in your numbers and you have also invested in this project, invested money-wise even when some people did not believe in us then.
“Many notable South-South lawmakers have shown great interest and commitment with some appearing on television to shout to the world about this project and today we are witnessing the result of that effort,” Kalu said.
Kalu, the former spokesperson for the House, said speakership aspirant Abbas was hardworking, detribalised and transparent.
Kalu said that it was Abbas’ sterling qualities that inspired lawmakers, including the Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, to lobby for him to become the next speaker.
Kalu said he and Abbas acknowledged the pivotal role colleagues from the South-South have played in bringing about the idea behind his speakership ambition.
He thanked the members-elect for their support and assured that he would not take their generousity and solidarity for granted.
(NAN)
Kalu, Izunazo, 13 other South-east Senators-elect allegedly backing Akpabio
Few hours to the inauguration of the 10th Senate, two leading aspirants for the position of Senate President, Orji Uzor Kalu and Osita Izunaso as well as 13 other southeast Senators-elect may have endorsed Godswill Akpabio after their meeting with him in Abuja.
Outgoing Senate President Ahmad Lawan also met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Godswill, where the Yobe Senator allegedly promised to deliver the former Akwa Ibom Governor on Tuesday.
The Director-General of Akpabio Campaign Organization, Ali Ndume, told newsmen that 15 senators-elect from the South East, met with Akpabio, where they reportedly endorsed his candidacy.
With the purported endorsement, according to Ndume, Abdulaziz Yari’s bid for the position of Senate President may have hit the rocks and his plans of usurping the zoning arrangements of the APC may have failed.
Speaking further, Ndume said former Governors from the North, who hitherto refused to support Akpabio, have also made a U-turn. He listed some of them as Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) among others.
He said that Sani Musa, vying for the Deputy Senate President, has also stepped down and endorsed Jibrin Barau.
Yari accuses Akpabio’s camp of celebrating alleged imminent arrest
By Sanni Onogu, Abuja
A Senate presidential aspirant, Abdulaziz Yari, has accused supporters of All Progressives Congress(APC) favoured candidate Senator Godswill Akpabio of celebrating a rumour that he will be arrested and whisked away from Abuja before Tuesday morning.
In a swift reaction, a Senator-elect in Akpabio’s camp denied the accusation adding that only the guilty should be afraid.
The former Zamfara Governor, according to a source in his camp, is enjoying massive support putting Akpabio’s camp and some influential powers on edge.
The source said: “Just last Saturday, Akpabio and his stability group convened a meeting aimed at displaying his popularity but became disappointed by the below-the average attendance recorded at the meeting.
Read Also Federal Commissioner dies in fatal road crash in Yobe (photo)
“Also shocked by the poor attendance, Vice president Shettima Kashim, said he would embark upon serious campaign aimed at poaching Senators-Elect from the camp of Yari.
“But as the hour of election drew closer and no Senators-Elect has agreed to leave the camp of Yari, desperation set in within the camp of Akpabio resulting in revelations from the camp that pressure will be mounted on security agents including the DSS, the Police and the EFCC to do everything possible to prevent Yari and many of his key supporters from accessing the National Assembly on Tuesday.
“The desperation, it was learnt, is resulting into a complete breach of an existing court order which had restrained the security agents from arresting Yari.
“Specifically, Justice Donatus Okorowo-led Federal High Court in Abuja had barred barred the EFCC, ICPC and DSS from detaining Yari until June 27, 2023 when they should appear to show cause.
“Last Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja extended the order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Department of State Services (DSS) from detaining Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari.
“Justice Donatus Okorowo extended the order on Thursday after Yari’s counsel, Michael Aondoaka, SAN, made an oral application to the effect.
“The development occurred following a plea for an adjournment moved by the lawyer to the EFCC, Gloria Ogbason, and her counterpart representing the ICPC, Kemi Odogun, to enable them to file their responses to Yari’s motion.
“Upon resumed hearing in the matter, Aondoaka informed that all the respondents had been served as directed by the court.
“Aondoaka’s application for an extension of the order. Justice Okorowo, who adjourned the matter until June 27, barred the EFCC, ICPC and DSS from detaining Yari until they appear to show cause in the next adjourned date.”
However a Senator-elect in Akpabio’ camp dismissed the allegations saying only the guilty should be afraid.”
The source said: “We know that since on Wednesday Abdul’aziz Yari had gone underground for fear of being arrested because no body has seen him since then.
“Besides, why did he run to court to stop security agencies from arresting him? Why is Yari afraid if his hands are clean. Only the guilty should be afraid. How can a lawmaker attempt to use the judiciary against the legislature?
“We know that at present they are telling lawmakers to swear to an oath and collect money by pledging their first child as ransom.
“As a Christian, I cannot take such money because I don’t want to endanger my first child’s future.
“We know other lawmakers that have cases with security agencies but they have not gone to court to seek an order to stop security agencies from arresting them.
“On our part, we have made up our minds to elect Akpabio as Senate President based on competence and capability to lead the 10th Senate and we will stick to that during voting on the floor if need be.”
PHOTOS: Tinubu meets Akpabio, Uzodinma, Lawan
Akpabio’ll emerge Senate President – Uzodinma
By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Less than 24 hours to the inauguration of the 10th Senate, the All progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence Senator Godswill Akpabio will emerge the next president of the 10th Senate.
Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma, expressed the party’s confidence during a chat with journalists, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), said the committee set up by President Tinubu to resolve the controversy over the forthcoming leadership race has achieved substantial progress in collaboration with the outgoing Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.
He assured that Lawan will work for the emergence of the preferred candidates of the party.
Also speaking, Akpabio assured of a united 10th Senate under his leadership.
Details Shortly…
