Akpabio dumped after latest meeting with President Tinubu

Ahead of the forthcoming inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, reports have emerged indicating that some senators have withdrawn their support for Godswill Akpabio and now back Abdulaziz Yari for the Senate Presidency, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Divisions have arisen among senators-elect from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties regarding key positions within the assembly. However, during a recent meeting with senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives, Tinubu endorsed the APC zoning formula.

He urged the incoming legislators to exercise their constitutional right to vote for their preferred candidates for the positions of Senate President and House Speaker, while respecting the independence of the legislature and following the rules of the National Assembly.

Just two days before the 10th National Assembly’s inauguration, Yari’s bid for the Senate Presidency reportedly received a significant boost. Senators-elect, including those from the APC who had previously supported Akpabio as the party’s favored candidate, have apparently shifted their allegiance to Yari, the former Governor of Zamfara State.

This recent decision places Yari in a favorable position, having gained the support of the majority of senators-elect ahead of the inauguration on June 13, 2023.

An APC senator-elect, who maintains close ties to the ruling party, hailed Tinubu’s stance as a testament to his democratic principles and commitment to the rule of law. The senator-elect emphasized that Tinubu’s position had been well-received by lawmakers-elect across party lines, asserting that cooperation would be extended to whoever emerged as Senate President and House Speaker.

The APC chieftain clarified that the majority of senators-elect are now in support of Senator Yari, stressing that this shift does not imply a confrontation with President Tinubu or the party. Rather, it signifies a deepening of democracy aimed at fostering a stable democratic atmosphere for the effective functioning of the executive branch. The APC leader emphasized that all lawmakers are united in this objective and pledged their cooperation.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that leaders within the APC have begun to backtrack on their support for Senator Akpabio in light of new circumstances. Akpabio’s alleged strained relationship with many members of the 9th Assembly has exacerbated the situation.

Several senators-elect are reportedly unhappy with Akpabio’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread corruption among National Assembly members, particularly concerning contracts within the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

A senator-elect from the South-South region confirmed that they have withdrawn their support for Akpabio, citing concerns about his ability to preside over an institution that he previously criticized as a “cesspit of corruption” while having benefited from it.

The senator-elect stressed that their decision to withdraw support is not an isolated incident, indicating that it will be evident on the floor of the Senate.

As the 10th National Assembly prepares for its inauguration, the dynamics surrounding the Senate Presidency race continue to evolve, with Yari gaining momentum and Akpabio facing a decline in support.

The unfolding developments within the APC and the broader political landscape promise an interesting and potentially impactful start to the new legislative term.