Akpabio takes oath of office as 10th senate president

Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, Tuesday took oath of office after defeating his rival Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.

Akpabio, a former Senator Minority Leader polled 63 votes to defeat Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, who scored 46 votes.

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.

Akpabio who is a lawyer and politician has served as minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022. He resigned on 11 May 2022 on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to contest in the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

He served as governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, while Yari was elected the Governor of Zamfara State in the 26 April 2011.