Senate Presidency: Yari reportedly steps down for Akpabio

There were reports midnight of Monday, June 12, that Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is set to be crowned as consensus Senate President at the convening and inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

This followed a report that his strongest challenger, former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has stepped down for the Akpabio, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) preferred candidate for the National Assemblh topmost job.

Once he emerges on Tuesday, barring any last-minute change of mind on the part of Yari, Akpabio will become the Senate President and Chairman of the Nationsl Assembly.

A group, COALITION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY, under the leadership of Prince Kassim Afegbua confirmed on Monday night that Yari had stepped down for Akpabio.

Afegbua said “After concerted effort by chieftains of the APC, and leaders of the Party, Senator Yari has finally stepped down for Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has been the choice of the APC.

“Yari has finally bowed to pressure based on pressure on him to drop his ambition or face EFCC probe over the way and manner he’s alleged to be spending huge resources.

“He was prevailed upon to drop his ambition as a middle road position, as he was reminded that he cannot afford to be on parallel lines with the President.

“Those who are close to Senator Yari had to send emissaries to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant Yari a soft landing, following his earlier failure to bow to rapprochement.

“As it stands now, Senator Godswill Akpabio may emerge as consensus candidate barring any last minute change of mind of Senator Yari.

“His close associates were said to have prevailed on him to respect the President of the country and the Party, in order to avoid any altercation that may impugn on the stability of the party. Congratulations to Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.”

PRINCE KASSIM AFEGBUA

COALITION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY