By Ibrahim Dan-Halilu
Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, emerged the new senate president of Federal Republic of Nigeria. He scored 63 votes to beat his opponent, former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul-Azziz Yari who scored 46 votes.
Akpabio’s emergence comes after a so much horse trading preceding the electoral process.
Akpabio, who was the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took his oath of office at exactly 9.40am, administered by the Clerk of the Senate, after he was voted into office as Senate President.
Sani Tambuwal, Clerk of the National Assembly, administered three different oaths on Akpabio, namely the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Member of the National Assembly, and Oath as President of the 10th Senate.
Godswill Obot Akpabio was born on December 9, 1962, in Ukana, Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He began his political career in the early 2000 and rose to prominence in Nigerian politics. He served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, making him the longest-serving governor in the history of the state.
During his tenure as governor, Akpabio implemented various infrastructural development projects and social welfare programs in Akwa Ibom State. His administration focused on improving education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and attracting investment to the state.
In 2015, Akpabio was elected as a Senator to represent the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. He was reelected in the 2019 general elections.
He was appointed as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari. This position placed him in charge of overseeing the development of the Niger Delta region, which is of strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.
In a related development, the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tajuddeen Abbas has emerged Speaker of Federal House of Representatives.
He polled 353 votes to beat two other contenders, former Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase and Ahmed Sani Jaji who scored three votes each.
Abbas was declared winner at exactly 11.44 am by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal after which he took the three oaths consecutively, the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Member of the National Assembly, and Oath as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
One member-elect, who died immediately after the general elections, was the only member that did not vote.
Immediate past Speaker and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila took part in the election.
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