President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to “work and walk” with him for Nigeria’s development.
Tinubu also promised to be a partner of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for the peace and progress of Nigeria.
The president said he’s prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly for the development of the country, adding that the promises made during their campaigns can only be achieved when they work together in harmony.
He said this via a statement issued Tuesday, June 13, 2023, following the emergence of the duo as presiding officers of the two chambers.
Tinubu said: “As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life.
“In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree, it will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member.
“Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.
“Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.
“We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.
“I will remain a partner in progress for peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.”
President Tinubu further congratulated Akpabio on his emergence as the Senate President just as he felicitated Abbas over his election as Speaker House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly.
Tinubu described the duo’s emergence as a good development, adding: “I also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.
“Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
“I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase and Honourable Aminu Jaji who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.”
Inauguration drama
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued on the floor of the Senate when an attempt was made to stop the nomination of Senator Yari (APC Zamfara West) from contesting the Senate’s top seat which was won by Akpabio.
Akpabio’s emergence with 63 votes against 46 scored by Yari, led to unopposed emergence of Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North) as Deputy Senate President, as those eying the position from Yari’s camp chickened out.
Road to Akpabio’s victory started with his nomination for the position by Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume (APC Borno South) after the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambuwal called for the nomination.
Akpabio’s nomination was seconded by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West).
Drama however ensued when the CNA asked if there was any other nomination for the position which was responded to by Senator Elisha Abbo (APC Adamawa North).
As Senator Abbo attempted to nominate Senator Abdulaziz Yari for the position, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North), kicked against it by describing Yari as a non-ranking Senator.
Monguno, in kicking against Yari’s nomination by Abbo, said it contravenes Order 3 of the Senate Standing Rule which was spontaneously rejected by Senators – elect in support of Yari with shouts of No! No!
But the CNA overruled Monguno by declaring that nomination of Yari was in order and not an infraction on any rules of the Senate or relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South), thereafter, seconded Yari’s nomination for the election from which he scored 46 votes as against 63 garnered by Akpabio, all totalling 109.
Immediately after election and declaration of results on the President of the 10th Senate, the CNA called for nomination for the position of Deputy President of the Senate with responses from Senators David Umahi (APC Ebonyi South) and Saliu Mustapha (APC Kwara Central) as mover and seconder, respectively.
Since further nominations for the position of Deputy President of the Senate was not responded to by any of the Senators-elect, the CNA declared Senator Barau as the new Deputy Senate President after which, he proceeded to the House of Representatives for election of presiding officers.
Akpabio accepts
In his inaugural speech, Senator Akpabio extended his hands of fellowship to all Senators of the 10th Senate, irrespective of political party membership, saying,” having won elections and inaugurated, we should see ourselves as Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not that of political parties.”
He described the 10th Senate as an uncommon one that will collaborate with the executive arm of government in the area of improved revenue generation for the country.
“This Senate and by extension, the 10th National Assembly, needs to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu led executive arm of government on improved revenue generation.
“President Tinubu as Executive Governor of Lagos State from May 1999 to May 2007, did it by raising the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State which was below N1billion then to between N50billion to N61billion every month now.
“We therefore need to come up with legislations on improved revenue generation by looking at new sources for that purpose,” he said.
He added that the 10th Senate should look in the direction of strengthening the legislative space and at the same time, support good policies and programmes of the federal government like recent bold step taken on removal of fuel subsidy.
And after his speech, Akapbio called on Deputy Senate President Barau to move for adjournment to Wednesday, which he did and seconded by Senator Ali Ndume.
Abbas emergence
In a related development, Hon. Abbas ((APC-Kaduna) emerged the new speaker of the Green Chamber with 353 votes to defeat his opponents in the race, Ahmed Idris Wase and Sani Jaji who scored three votes each.
A total of 359 members-elect were on ground and participated in the voting, as confirmed through a roll call of attendance, which began as early as 8.00am
The expected tension was doused in just days to the inauguration, when leading contenders in the race, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi made public, their decision to step down, after being successful persuaded by President Tinubu.
To confirm the news, the two leading aspirants and members of the G-6 coalition voted for Abbas in the exercise conducted through an open ballot system.
Dramatically, Hon. Akinremi Olaide (APC-Oyo), who is the Director General for Hon. Sani Jaji, voted for Abbas, while aside from Jaji, who voted for himself, all the six members-elect from Zamfara state voted for Abbas.
Also, Gadgi and six Plateau state members-elect who are kinsmen to Wase voted en-masse for Abbas, except for Wase, who voted for himself.
The Deputy Clerk for the National Assembly (DCNA), Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, who read the President’s proclamation, announced that the method of election shall be by open ballot as prescribed by the 10th edition of the Standing Order, Order Two Rule 3 (f) (iii).
Order Two Rule 3(g) provides that: “When more than two Members-elect is nominated and seconded to be Speaker and where two or more accept, the division shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in Rule 3(f) herein and the Member-elect who has received more than one-half of the votes shall be the Speaker-elect.”
In line with the provision of Order Two Rule 3(k), the first nomination was made by the immediate past Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, and seconded by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji (PDP-Enugu) in pursuant to Order 2(2, 3 and 4) of the Standing Order, nominated Abbas, and the nominee accepted the nomination.
The second nomination was made by Hon. Tijani Kayode Ibrahim (APC-Kwara) and seconded by Hon. Mohammed Abdulmumin (APC-Nasarawa) nominated Hon. Idris Wase.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Idris Wase, who accepted, assured Nigerians of his readiness to serve in the capacity.
In the same vein, the third nomination was made by Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim (APC-Katsina) and seconded by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (APC-Katsina), nominated by Hon Sani Jaji (APC-Zamfara), after which the voting commenced.
My victory is for all of us -Abbas
In his acceptance speech, Speaker Abbas said his victory was not just for himself, but all his colleagues, assuring that he would be just and fair to all.
“This victory is not just about me; it is about all of us coming together as a united House to serve the Nigerian people diligently. It is about honouring the trust that has been placed on us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation”, he said in his inaugural speech Tuesday.
He also assured that the House, under his leadership will strive to surpass the achievements recorded by the preceding assembly.
“It is worthy to note that speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.
“I do not take this mandate bestowed on me as the Nigerian Speaker for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation building is a Joint Task.
“Honourable Colleagues, under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House. That is my prayer. We shall carry out the TASK before us JOINTLY. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives,” he stated.
Speaking further, the Speaker said “My dear colleagues, those of us that were privileged to serve in the just concluded 9th House of Representatives will attest to the fact that appreciable successes had been recorded under my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, CFR, who from tomorrow, will assume office as the Chief of Staff to the President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I will like to congratulate him for finishing his tenure as Speaker successfully and for his new national assignment. The former Speaker remains a great Nigerian whose service to fatherland in the past 20 years as a legislator is unmatched. I commend him for his sacrifices for Nigeria and his support for the new 10th House of Representatives.”
