Reactions as Akpabio defeats Yari, emerges President of 10th Senate

Senator Godswill Akpabio, representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial zone
has been elected President of the Nigerian Senate.

**NEWLY ELECTED SENATE PRESIDENT, GODSWILL AKPABIO, ABDULAZIZ YARI: CREDIT FACEBOOK**.

He was elected President of the 10th Senate after polling 63 votes ahead of his rival and former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’aziz Yari who scored 46 votes.

The former Governor who was the preferred Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had also served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in the past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

The Sentors-elect voted in alphabetical order during the poll.

Nigerians have began to react to Senator Akpabio’s emergence.

The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki in his congratulatory message said, his wide-ranging expertise will benefit the 10th Senate and advance the development of our dear nation.

Obaseki said, “I am confident that you will give a good account of yourself and deliver on this new national assignment.

“Your understanding of the machinery of State will smoothen executive-legislative collaboration, which will enhance good governance and engender sustainable development”, Obaseki said.

But, a human rights lawyer, Mr Malcolm Omirhobo, said, “If Akpabio who is unable to defend himself on cases of fraud, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds before National Assembly can become President of the Senate for the 10th NASS, then what Nigerian politicians cannot do does not exist of course”.