In a statement made on Monday during the induction ceremony of new and returning members of the National Assembly, former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari firmly stated that he is still vying for the position of Senate President.
Despite reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already nominated Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively, Yari maintained that every senator-elect has the right to campaign for any elective position.
In his words, “I am a loyal party man, nobody has told me that any position has been zoned to anywhere as far as the 10th National Assembly is concerned. The position of President of the Senate is first among equals among the 109 senators. Any senator-elect who wants to occupy the position must seek the support of others which I am doing.”
This statement comes as a surprise to many who believed that the APC had already zoned the position of Senate President to a particular region.
Yari, who is known for his outspokenness and political assertiveness, has remained one of the top contenders for the position of Senate President. His latest statement is sure to raise eyebrows and ignite conversations among his colleagues and political pundits across the country.
As Nigeria eagerly awaits the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, it will be interesting to see how this latest development unfolds and how it affects the power dynamics within the Senate.
