By Olusegun Olanrewaju, Nathaniel Zacchaeus, and Cross Udo
President Bola Tinubu yesterday told the new leadership of the 10th National Assembly under Godswill Akpabio as the President of the Senate and Tajudeen Abass as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that Nigerians want them to lift their economic burden.
Tinubu, who told the National Assembly to work with him to deliver the dividends of democracy, also said that now that elections were over, it was time to get on with the business of governance to justify the mandate given to them.
In a statement he signed, Tinubu congratulated the new leadership of the national assembly and also reminded them that in the course of work together, disagreements may occur and that any disagreement will not be out of malice, ill-will, and the quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member.
The statement read, “The election of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development.
“I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.
“Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with a huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
“I wish Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase and Honourable Aminu Jaji who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election the best and most successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
“I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria.
“My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.”
He further said, “We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.
“As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life.
“In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will, and the quest to diminish the institution of the National Assembly or any individual member.
“Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us to eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.
“Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. ”
“We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.
“We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.
“I will remain a partner in progress for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.”
*How Akpabio, Jibrin, Abbas emerged for NASS leadership
*Senate
Meanwhile, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday defeated Zamfara State’s ex-governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, to become Senate President of the 10th Senate.
Senator Barau Jibrin emerged unopposed as Deputy Senate President.
Akpabio scored 63 votes while Yari scored 45 votes. One senator-elect abstained from voting.
There was no other nomination after Jibrin was nominated to take the chair as Deputy Senate President.
Voting commenced after Borno senator, Ali Ndume, had read the citation of Akpabio.
He, thereafter, nominated Akpabio to take the chair as the Senate President.
The nomination was seconded by Senator Solomon Adeola, who is representing Ogun West in the National Assembly.
Shortly thereafter, Senator Elisha Abbo read the citation of Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari and thereafter nominated him to take the chair as the Senate President.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim seconded Yari’s nomination.
Following the two nominations, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambuwal, called for additional nominations.
Following the cessation of nomination in the chambers, Tambuwal declared nominations closed. He then called for the division to enable the senators-elect cast their votes for their preferred candidate.
After sorting, Akpabio’s supporters began to jubilate as it was obvious that he had won.
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Tambuwal, later declared the results saying Akpabio scored 63 votes, and Yari, 45, while one senator-elect abstained from voting.
Tambuwal thus declared Akpabio as the winner, and he was led to take the chair as the senate president.
After taking his oath of office and oath of allegiance administered by the clerk to the National Assembly, Akpabio signed the oaths and used the gavel for the first time.
Following this, the clerk called for nominations for the position of deputy senate president.
Senator Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) read the citation of Senator Jibrin Barau and moved that he should take the chair as the deputy senate president of the 10th Senate.
Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central) seconded Umahi’s motion.
Following no other nominations for the position, Tambuwal declared nominations closed for the position and thereafter declared Jibrin as duly elected deputy Senate President albeit unopposed.
All the senators from the States voted in alphabetical order and after the counting, Akpabio was announced as the winner.
Akpabio now wears the double hat as the senate president and the chairman of the National Assembly.
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, and former Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, were all in the Red Chamber to monitor the voting and celebrate with Akpabio after he emerged the winner.
After the swearing-in of Jibrin as the deputy senate president, Akpabio presided over the swearing-in of all other senators conducted by the CNA. Many senators commended the election process, describing it as transparent and credible.
A staunch supporter of Yari who is the senator representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi said, “The election was free and fair without much-anticipated drama.”
He said, “That is what makes the institution of the Senate different. The animosity, the fear of what happened in the last two days completely vanished.
“You go into the hall and you see how people are embracing themselves and that is parliament and that is democracy.
“The position I took was not the position of my party but that of the minority caucus and you could see not all of us voted on the same page.
“Some people actually went to negotiate and that is parliament but I believe in the six months or so we are going to bind together by putting the nation first.
“When you come to the National Assembly you drop the party leaning, of your region, of your religion. Once you know that it becomes the protector of the masses.”
Other senators like Francis Fadahunsi, (Osun East), Abdulfatah Buhari (Oyo North); Osita Izunaso (Imo West); and a host of others pledged to support the laudable efforts of the Tinubu’s administration aimed at revamping the economy through revenue generation.
They also said assured Nigerians that all forms of revenue leakages and wastages would be tackled through aggressive oversight.
In his acceptance speech, Akpabio pledged to discharge the responsibilities of his office with utmost dedication, integrity, and fairness.
The outcome of the election reflected the collective will of the Senate and the various constituencies the senators were representing.
Akpabio said, “I am mindful of the enormous responsibilities that this position calls for. You will have my cooperation in all matters and our joint efforts will be one of teamwork.
“I extend my sincere hands of fellowship to all of us, including those who, at a time, may have had different opinions regarding the leadership of the Senate.
“These expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of.
“We should anticipate an executive that is pro-active, progressive, and practical. Our laws must therefore, align with the vision of Mr. President to protect and provide for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth.”
He explained that gender, disability issues, as well as wealth creation, would be given priority in the 10th National Assembly.
He said, “We must recognise and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual content and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage competitively;
“Expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base.
“These additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.
“We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasize economic viability, social acceptability, and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs.
“We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner with His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country.”
Akpabio urged senators in the minority caucus to jettison party politics and work collectively for the national interest.
Akpabio said, “In all matters of national interest, we are enjoined to remember that we are first and foremost, distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before our roles as representatives and members of our political parties.
“There is, therefore, every reason to support good policies and programmes of the Federal Government, and I call on you to put this national interest first at all times. Our Senate, the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be a senate for all Nigeria.”
He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and hopeful because their dreams, aspirations, and well-being would be at the heart of everything the Senate would be doing.
