Newsbreak: Akpabio Defeats Yari, Elected New Senate President

By Samuel Ogunsona

Senator Godwin Akpabio has been elected as the Senate President after defeating his only rival, Yari Abdulaziz

Akpabio polled a total of 63 votes to beat Yari who polled 46 voters

The inauguration of both 10th Senate and 10th House of Representatives took place in the hallowed hall of the Red and Green Chambers.

Akpabio was a former Governor of Akwa – Ibom state in South-South part of Nigeria between 2007-2015.

However, The 60-year old Akpabio who is a Nigerian lawyer has served as minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022. He resigned from his position in in May 2022 to contest in the Presidential primaries of All Progressive Congress (APC) against the new Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Before the Election on Tuesday, Ogun State Senator, Solomon Yayi, and Senator Ali Ndume nominated the former Akwa Ibom governor.

While Abdulziz Yari was nominated by Senator Ishaku Abbo to be the new Senate President.

The 60-year old Akpabio who is a Nigerian lawyer has served as minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022. He resigned from his position in in May 2022 to contest in the Presidential primaries of All Progressive Congress (APC) against the new Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akpabio was formerly a member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before he joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2018. The son of late Chief Obot Akpabio of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area attended the Methodist primary school and Federal Government College where he was appointed the Senior Prefect and later got his (LLB) degree from University of Calabar, Cross River state.

In 2002, Akpabio was appointed Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by the then Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on accusations that he diverted over 100 billion Naira from Akwa Ibom State during his time as governor (2007-2015) with American diplomats calling the level of corruption “exceptional” during his tenure.

Before the Election on Tuesday, Ogun state Senator, Solomon Yayi, and Senator Ali Ndume nominated the former Akwa Ibom governor.

While Abdulaziz Yari was nominated by Senator Ishaku Abbo to be the néw Senate President.