In a closely watched Senate election, Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom state has emerged as the Senate President, defeating his sole rival, Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara State, News About Nigeria reports.
The election held recently, drew attention from across the country as political observers eagerly awaited the outcome.
The nomination process was not without its share of controversies.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume nominated Akpabio, while Senator Elisha Abbo put forward Yari’s name.
However, Yari’s nomination faced opposition from Senator Tahir Mungono, who expressed concerns over its constitutionality.
Mungono’s objections led to a heated debate during the session.
The Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, presided over the session and took charge of maintaining order.
Akubueze ruled that Mungono’s remarks were out of order and clarified that the election would be conducted in accordance with Order 3 of the Senate Standing Rules.
The election itself was conducted through a voting process, with each senator casting their ballot. In the final tally, Godswill Akpabio secured 63 votes, while Abdulaziz Yari received 45 votes.
Interestingly, one senator-elect chose to abstain from voting, making the outcome even more significant.
Akpabio’s victory in this election has significant implications for both Akwa Ibom and Zamfara State.
As the winner, Akpabio now holds the responsibility of representing and advocating for the interests of his constituents in the Senate.
His success is likely to be welcomed by the people of Akwa Ibom, who have placed their trust in him to fulfill his duties effectively.
The defeat faced by Abdulaziz Yari, on the other hand, marks a setback for the ambitions of the Zamfara State politician.
Yari, who had put himself forward as a candidate, was unable to secure the majority support of the Senate members. This outcome may prompt him to reassess his political strategies and future plans.
