Akpabio: I’ll work with all senators

The President of the Nigerian 10th Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, said he will cooperate with all senators despite their differences.

The former governor of Akwa Ibom State and the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs was elected Senate President after the inauguration of the 10th Senate on Tuesday in Abuja.

Akpabio garnered 63 votes to defeat his closest rival, Abdullaziz Yari, who scored 46 votes in a keenly contested election of the Senate presiding officers.

In his acceptance speech, Akpabio said: “Expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of.”

He said that with him on the saddle, the Senate is set for the promulgation of laws, and the stage is set for a check on the executive through oversight functions.

Akpabio explained President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a strong and virile economy, adding that his actions in recent weeks pointed to his understanding of the challenges faced by the citizens.

He said: “I am pleased, as I am sure that you too are, that we have in His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is committed to a strong economy, national security, and the rule of law.

“The antecedents of Mr President and his actions in office these past two weeks give not just a pointer but bear witness to an executive government that knows the challenges of the country and is in a hurry to resolve them.”

Akpabio said the 10th Senate will pass laws that emphasise economic viability; hence, they will cooperate with the executive for the required legislative framework.