Inside the politics the president played, which made all his four anointed candidates win all the four topmost seats in the 10th National Assembly
Senator representing Borno South District in the 10th National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu “sneaked out” and “begged” some members-elect of the 10th Senate before their inauguration on Tuesday to support his preferred candidates for principal positions.
All four candidates endorsed by Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) swept the top four seats in the 10th NASS on Tuesday.
Godswill Akpabio was elected Senate President after defeating Abdul’aziz Yari, who is also an APC member. The former Akwa Ibom governor was returned elected as President of the 10th Senate after scoring 63 votes defeating Senator Yari, who scored 46 votes.
Also, Jibrin Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, emerged unopposed as Senate Deputy President, succeeding Ovie Omo-Agege.
For the House of Representatives, a member from Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, Tajudeen Abbas, was elected Speaker just as a member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, Benjamin Kalu emerged the Deputy Speaker.
After his election as Senate President on Tuesday, Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West District, visited Tinubu at Aso Villa for some post-victory talks and celebrations.
How Tinubu Rallied Lawmakers
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme hours after the day’s business, Ndume said he wasn’t afraid that things would go in the direction of Yari.
Ndume, who was the Director General of Akpabio’s Campaign Team for Senate President, said he worked closely with other veterans and experienced lawmakers like the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; and ex-Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; amongst other powerbrokers.
Continuing, the Senator said, “Also, interesting as at this (Tuesday) morning when we closed our meeting in the morning today, we did a real analysis and we came up with 62 and we got 63.”
Source: Channels TV
