Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio on Tuesday took oath of office after defeating his rival Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.
Akpabio who pulled 63 votes, to defeat Yari who garnered 46 votes, pledged to work and perform his duty in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Godswill Akpabio has been elected President of the 10th Senate following a rowdy session at the red chamber.
Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and lawmaker from Akwa Ibom North West emerged winner a keenly contested election against his opponent, Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara State Governor.
Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), was paired with the Senator representing Kano South, Jibrin Barau, who emerged as the Deputy Senate President.
Against the announced time of 10 a.m for the election, it started before 9 a.m.
Sani Tambuwal, the Clerk of the National Assembly, was in the Senate Chamber and presided over the session. The Clerk has called for nominations.
The Senator-elect for Borno South, Ali Ndume, nominated Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate. Akpabio accepted the nomination while Elisha Abbo, Senator-elect for Adamawa North, nominated Abdulaziz Yari,Ssenator-elect for Zamfara West.
The Senators protested that Yari was not allowed to stand for the position as a first-time Senator.
After the lawmakers cast their votes in alphabetical order, two representatives of each team came to count their votes.
Senators Adeola Solomon and Ndume came out to represent Senator Akpabio, while Abbo and the Senator-elect representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, represented Senator Yari.
