JUST IN: Akpabio defeats Yari to become Senate President

Former governor of Akwa Ibom State Senator Godswill Akpabio has been elected President of the 10th Senate.

The member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) saw off challenge from fellow party member Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, on Tuesday.

Akpabio was minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022. He represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial Zone.

He has been sworn in after taking his oath of allegiance.

Senator Jibrin Barau emerged Deputy Senate President following his sole nomination for the office. He too has been sworn in after taking his oath of allegiance.

Akpabio and Barau emerged as leaders of the 10th Senate after extensive discussions between the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, the Tinubu Presidency and lawmakers both in the APC and opposition parties.