Senator Godswill Akpabio has emerged the 10th President of the Senate after defeating Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
The lawmakers-elect had earlier commenced voting on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, in the build-up to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
Senator Ali Ndume nominated Senator Godswill Akpabi, after reading the biography of the former Akwa Ibom governor.
Akpabio’s nomination was seconded by Senator Olamilekan Solomon Yayi from Ogun state.
Similarly, Senator Ishaku Abbo nominated Senator Abdul Aziz Yari as Senate President.
Voting begun at exactly 08:45am on Tuesday on a state by state basis, alphabetically.
Voting ended at exactly 09:15am.
Akpabio was sworn in at exactly 09:44am.
Nominations were received for Senator Yari and Senator Akpabio after which the Clerk of the Senate declared nominations closed in absence of further nominations.
The contest was between Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and Akpabio, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and ex-governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Some APC members had entreated Yari to drop his ambition to make it a smooth sail for Akpabio but the former governor vowed to fight to the finish.
In the just-concluded elections, the ruling APC secured about 70 seats in the Red Chamber, the highest by any party followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Many APC lawmakers had indicated interest to emerge the next Senate President but some of the aspirants stepped down for either Akpabio or Yari.
