Godswill Akpabio and Abdulaziz Yari, two contenders for the Senate presidency, are at odds over the number of senators who support them. This conflict may have made the race for the position more competitive. Both men are former governors.
At the beginning of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023, senators-elect will choose a new Senate President to run the Senate’s operations for the ensuing four years.
According to sources in the Yari’s camp, about 65 senators were already in their camp over the last-minute exit of lawmakers from the opposition’s camp.
The Deputy Director-General of Akpabio/ Barau Campaign Organisation, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, was quoted to have told the Media on Monday that the campaign is appealing to senators-elect to support Akpabio’s bid.
Some of the senators-elect hinted that they are having a rethink on Sen. Akpabio’s Senate Presidency over accusations that he was disrespectful to the institution of the legislature when he, as the Minister of Niger Delta, openly accused National Assembly members of hugely benefiting from large contracts in the NDDC without a proof.
A senator-elect representing the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano South, Suleiman Kawu stated that the Northern caucus led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan was pulling their weight behind Senator Yari.
He said, “This 10th Assembly is different, the lawmakers will choose their leaders and the person, we are supporting as Senate President is Senator Yari”
Another senator-elect who pleaded anonymity stated that he has withdrawn his support from the Akpabio’s camp because of an issue he once had with the lawmakers.
He said, “I have withdrawn support for Senator Akpabio. It’s not only me. Many of us have withdrawn our support and it will show on the floor.
“I used to have very high regard for Senator Akpabio as a person but I can’t support him to be the Senate President.
“How can he (Akpabio) come and preside over an institution which he once described as a cesspit of corruption after benefitting from the same institution” the Senator-elect queried.
Meanwhile, the Akpabio camp has said it was seriously mobilising Senators-elect across the three major parties: the All Progressives Congress, People’s Democratic Party and Labour Party.
In a Newspaper publication, the group listed the names of 71 senators who were on their team.
Among others, the 25 Pro-Akpabio Governors include the Governors of Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Kogi, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Kaduna, Borno, Ebonyi and Ondo States.
These governors, majority of whom are of the APC-controlled States maintained that they are vehemently upholding the unanimous decision of the National Working of the party.
The Governors added that the NWC has made the most profound decision that will promote institutional stability and the peaceful conduct of legislative proceedings in the 10th Assembly in the next four years.
