Akpabio unveils new senate leaders

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central as the Senate Majority leader and former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South as the Senate Chief Whip.

Reading the letter from the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akpabio also announced Senator Dave Umahi, APC, Ebonyi South as the Deputy Leader and Senator Lola Ashiru , APC, Kwara South as the Deputy Whip.

Akpabio who entered the hallowed Chamber at 11.18am, immediately prayed at 11,20an and asked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North to move for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of 14th June and seconded by Senator Ezenwa, Imo East.

He also announced Sen. Simon Mwadkwon (PDP-Plateau) as Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Oyewumi Olalere (PDP-Osun) as Deputy Minority Leader; Sen. Darlington Nwokocha (LP-Abia), Minority Whip, and Sen. Rufai Hanga (NNPP-Kano), as Deputy Minority Whip.

Recall that Senator Godswill Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom North-West District won the leadership position of the 10th National Assembly.

Akpabio defeated his opponent Abdulaziz Yari, with votes from the lawmakers, thereby making him the Senate President.

His victory was announced by the clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal Magaji who said Akpabio emerged the winner with 63 votes leaving his rival with 46 votes.

Akpabio is the first South-Southerner to be elected President of the Senate since Nigeria got its independence in 1960.

GistReel reports that in the last general election, the APC party secured the majority of seats in the green chamber with over 170, followed by the PDP with over 100, the Labour Party with over 35, and the New Nigeria People’s Party with about 20.