The much expected election for leadership of the 10th National Assembly, has come and gone, with emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as President and Senator Jibrin Barau as Deputy President of the Senate respectively. TAIYE ODEWALE reports
Build up to the election
Before Tuesday, June 13, 2023, when both Chambers of the 10th National Assembly were inaugurated, many interested federal lawmakers – elect then, announced their aspirations for the presiding officers’ positions, particularly, those of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Infact, as early as March, after declaration of results of most of the 469 legislative seats at both chambers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), many aspirants sprung up at both chambers for the leadership positions.
In Senate in particular, between March and April this year, race for Presidency of the red chamber was more of an all comers affairs, across the divides of North and South.
While ranking Senators – elect on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC), like Jibrin Barau (Kano North), Sani Musa (Niger East), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West) etc, announced their aspirations; their counterparts from the South like Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest) , Osita Izunaso (Imo Wesr) and even green horns like David Umahi ( Ebonyi South), also announced their aspirations.
However the the then crowded race, was sanitised and given direction by zoning arrangement announced by the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC on Monday, May 7, 2023, after an emergency meeting.
The zoning formula announced by the party for the Senate, was an Akpabio / Barau ‘s ticket for President and Deputy President of the Senate.
Though after the announcement, many of the other aspirants kicked against it and vowed to remain in the race till the day of inauguration, but campaigns made several weeks after, clearly showed that the race was between Akpabio and Yari which eventually happened at inauguration through the election conducted by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal.
In the keenly contested election, while the winner now the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio polled 63 votes out of the available 109 votes, Senator Abdulaziz Polled 46 votes, which indicated that he needed just 9 more Senators – elect to get the required 55 votes of simple majority for the position.
Expectedly after the election, Yari in an interview with journalists, said he felt betrayed by change of mind later made by some of the Senators – elect who had earlier supported and practically identified with his aspiration.
Though Yari refused to be specific on the group of Senators – elect that disappointed him on the day of election, but watchers of event , are looking at the direction of Senators – elect from the South East who 24 hours to the election , gathered at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro for strategic meeting across party lines without issuance of any communique at the end of the meeting.
Barau’s unopposed emergence as DSP
With defeat of Yari in the contest for Presidency of the 10th Senate by Godswill Akpabio , the raod became clear and only for emergence of Senator Jibrin Barau as Deputy President of the Senate since those in Yari’s camp, wanting to contest for the position, are from the Southern axis of the country, which had already produced an Akpabio as President of the Senate.
Little wonder that when calls were made for nominations among Senators – elect , for the position of Deputy President of the Senate, aside the ones made by Senators David Umahi (APC Ebonyi South) and Saliu Mustapha (APC Kwara Central) for Jibrin Barau, no other one was made, leading to his unopposed emergence.
Senator Barau’s popularity among Senators – elect, also played critically role in his emergence as Deputy President of the 10th Senate, unopposed as no any other Senators in Yari’s camp, could withstand his popularity.
Agenda for the 10th Senate .
Like other ones before it, agenda for the 10th Senate seems to have been set through pronouncements made in the acceptance speech read by the new Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
As posited by Akpabio in the speech , the 10th Senate , like the 9th led by Senator Ahmad Lawan , will strengthen the legislative space and have harmonious working relationship with the executive arm of government in the general interest of Nigeria and Nigerians .
His words: “Government is a continuum and the Senate is no less so. We shall therefore, further strengthen the legislative space in continuation of the laudable efforts made by the 9th Senate under the able leadership of H.E. Senator Ahmed Lawan, GCON, President of the 9th Senate. Chief among these are:
i. Gender matters, with specific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusivity;
ii. Issues relating to persons with special needs and equality;
iii. Engaging, empowering and rewarding our resourceful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intellectual innovations and property, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups. We must recognize 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;
iv. 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;
v. 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. In doing this, I will particularly like to address our Distinguished colleagues from other parties.
“We may have come to the National Assembly through the instrumentalities of different political parties, so it is appropriate to recognize and respect our differing perceptions and positions on issues that will be brought before this chamber.
“However, 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 individual 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. Together, we shall be greater than the sum of our individual political parties.
“We should therefore, 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.
“To the Nigerian people, I say this: your dreams, your aspirations, and your well-being will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate. I urge you to remain hopeful, steadfast, and united.
“On my part, Distinguished Senators, I affirm that this leadership shall be yours. It shall be a servant leadership; it shall be an uncommon leadership”
Principal Officers’ positions and committees ‘chairmanship
Like other Senates before it, for full legislative business, principal officers like Senate Leader Deputy Leader , Chief Whip , Deputy Whip , Minority Leader , Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip, need to emerge through nominations by their political parties after which composition of the various standing committees , would be looked into.
For the Principal officers, they are most likely to emerge on resumption of Senate for plenary on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 after its current recess.
Expectedly, lobbying for such positions are already on going by interested ranking Senators across party lines but time will tell, as regards those who will eventually emerge.
