“I feel betrayed but life continues”, Yari speaks on losing senate presidency seat to Akpabio

"I feel betrayed but life continues", Yari speaks on losing senate presidency seat to Akpabio

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. "I feel betrayed but life continues", Yari speaks on losing senate presidency seat to AkpabioSenate 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.

Pastors, Bishops endorse Yari for Senate President, Ignore Akpabio

Pastors, Bishops endorse Yari for Senate President, Ignore Akpabio

A group of pastors and bishops have endorsed Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara state, for the position of senate president, ignoring Senator Godswill Akpabio who’s a Christian. The Pastors and Bishops under the umbrella of the Christian Organisation of Nigeria (CON), said Yari has the capacity to be the senate president adding that they are yet to see a senate president hopeful like Yari.

Abdulaziz Yari

Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara state Addressing a press conference in Abuja on behalf of the group, on Thursday, Blessing Fashola, a bishop of the Celestial Church, said a Christian must not be nominated as senate president because no Christian from the lot contesting is capable. He said, “The hallowed chambers of the senate is where Nigeria must speak as one united and indivisible entity, hence every religious, ethnic and racial division must be highly discouraged,” he said. “After a critical assessment of all the contestants irrespective of their religious divide, we have chosen to endorse Abdulaziz Yari because he is the most capable. “CON is apolitical and does not share the myopic reasoning that a Christian must be endorsed because we do not see any Christian from the lot contesting that is more capable than Sen Yari. “We must admit that what the country needs at this point are leaders with capacity, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliations. Nigeria needs leaders that understand the dynamic nature of the country, which can only be brought about through hands-on experience in governance. “Senator Yari’s credentials speak volumes of a man on a mission to contribute to sustainable growth and development. He has demonstrated competence and capacity and has built bridges across the divide.”

How I will move Nigeria forward as Senate President ― Yari

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The former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator-elect, Abdulaziz Yari, APC, Zamfara West declared on Wednesday that if elected as the Senate President, he would join forces with President Bola Tinubu to move Nigeria forward. The inauguration of the 10th National Assembly will take place June 13, and Yari who is a strong contender alongside Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of President of the 10th Senate promises that if given the opportunity to serve as Senate President, he would ensure that Nigeria comes first while the interest of the party comes second. Speaking on behalf of the Senate Presidential hopeful, former Deputy Majority leader, Senator-elect, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central who addressed journalists in Abuja noted that Yari wishes to achieve this by having a stable Senate and a stable National Assembly. According to Ningi, there are at least 67 senators-elect who have thrown their weight behind Abdulaziz Yari to occupy the office of the Senate President, with more on their way. Speaking on how he would help move Nigeria forward, Yari said, “Under my leadership, the 10th Senate will have a cordial and purposeful relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver his vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. “I and President Tinubu have come a long way and understand each other, I promise to at all times give President Tinubu helping hands in moving this country forward. “I will aggregate opinions to ensure that Nigeria comes first and party come second,” he said. Yari further noted that he possesses the requisite experience and quality to lead the National Assembly to achieve cordial and complementary relationships with other arms of government, particularly, the Executive. Speaking further on his sterling qualities, Yari said “I have strong connections across the 36 states and understand the nuances of the nation. “I am assuring you that I have what it takes to make a difference . We will build constant synergy to unify our nation”.