13th June, 2023
The process of electing the presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly kicked off at both chambers of the National Assembly about 8am on Tuesday.
However, the hope that the presiding officers will emerge through consensus as expressed by some members of the party seemed to have failed, at least in the Senate.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari will contest the senate presidency against APC preferred Akpabio after he was nominated by Senator Isaku Aboh.
Senator-elect Jimoh Ibrahim seconded the nomination of Yari.
However, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan nominated Godwill Akpabio.
Following with meeting lawmakers and other stakeholders in the last 48 hours, spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, some of the major contenders, such as Orji Uzor Kalu and Ozita Izunaso for the Senate presidency stepped down from the race.
The fact that the two Kalu and Izunaso were not nominated indicated the fact that they had indeed stepped down from the race.
Also, the deputy senate president will also be elected.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is backing Senator Akpabio as Senate President and Jibrin as Deputy Senate President, Tajudeen Abbas as House Speaker and Benjamen Kalu as Deputy Speaker.
Voting which is being done by secret ballot began after the roll call of senators-elect by the Clerk.
The governors of Kogi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo and other dignitaries were present at the red chamber to witness the election of the senate president.
However, the roll call of members is still going on in the House of Representatives.
Details later