Senator Abdulaziz Yari has opened up after losing the senate presidency seat to Senator Godswill Akpabio, accusing senators of betraying him. Recall that Senator Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom North-West District won the senate presidency seat of the 10th National Assembly. 
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio Akpabio defeated his opponent Abdulaziz Yari, with votes from the lawmakers, thereby making him the Senate President. His victory was announced by the clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal Magaji who said Akpabio emerged the winner with 63 votes leaving Yari with 46 votes. However, Yari said he was hoping to get 61 out of the 109 votes which could have seen him emerge as the Senate President. Speaking during an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja, Yari said: “Yes, I can say there was a betrayal. That’s the truth because as we were taking stock as of 3 am, Monday-Tuesday election, we took stock of over 76. “But as usual, human beings, we thought we are going to get a pullout of about 15, which we will have a comfortable 61 to win the election. “But it became the reverse, which only God knows what happened. So, I feel betrayed but life continues and it’s a cycle.” The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, two days after the lifespan of the 9th National Assembly. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 10th Senate won 57 seats while the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) garnered 29 seats. Others include All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1; Labour Party (LP) – 6; New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – 2; Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 2, and Young Progressive Party (YPP) – 1.
President Tinubu, Hope Uzodinma and Godswill Akpabio Recall that Godswill Akpabio was on Tuesday elected Senate president after polling 63 votes to defeat Abdulazeez Yari, who garnered 46 votes. The lawmaker representing Zaria constituency in Kaduna, Tajudeen Abbas, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Benjamin Kalu from Abia state, was elected deputy. Ndume while reacting to Akpabio’s victor said Tinubu is an “experienced” politician, adding that he convinced many lawmakers to support his preferred candidates. “When I contested last time (2019), everybody was on the other side because the party and president endorsed Ahmad Lawan,” he said. “It is almost a repetition of the same thing, the party and the president had a preferred candidate but this president (Tinubu) is an experienced politician who played a lot of politics. “He deployed his foot soldiers to compliment our (campaign team of Akpabio) efforts and that made a difference. The vice president assisted us. “He called some people. He even went to some people. It is politics. He sneaked out to visit some people and begged them to support. He has his reasons and they were convincing.” 
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio The statement read: “The election of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development. “I heartily congratulate them and 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. “I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria. “My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.” He further said, “We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Tajudeen Abbas “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.” 
