Akpabio Asks Senators To Put Nat’l Interest First At All Times

The President of the 10th Senate, God­swill Akpabio, has promised to lead the upper chamber in fairness and with utmost dedication and integri­ty, calling on senators to put national interest first at all times.

Akpabio made the promise on Tuesday at his swearing in as the 9th President of the Senate since the re­turn of democracy in 1999.

The former Akwa Ibom State gov­ernor and ex-Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry also pledged to continue with the task of positioning Nigeria on the right path, noting that “many of the challenges we have had, and many of the defining moments of our historic journey as a nation to­wards true democracy, have been met and made by those who have hitherto occupied this seat.”

He emerged winner of the contest for the Senate Presi­dent after defeating his oppo­nent, former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, by 63 to 46 votes.

While extending hands of fellowship to all despite differ­ing opinions on the outcome of his election, he called for an alignment with the vision of the Federal Government “to protect and provide for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our ac­tions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth.”

The new chairman of the National Assembly further pledged to pursue such goals as “gender matters, with spe­cific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusiv­ity; issues relating to persons with special needs and equal­ity.

“Engaging, empowering and rewarding our resource­ful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intel­lectual innovations and prop­erty, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups.

“We must recognize and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual con­tent and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage com­petitively.

“Expansion of the reve­nue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulat­ed natural and solid mineral resources base. These addi­tional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil pric­es in the international market.

“We will, as a forward-look­ing Senate, pass laws that em­phasize economic viability, social acceptability and envi­ronmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudic­ing our developmental needs.”

According to him, the up­per chamber under him will consolidate on the achieve­ments of the 9th Senate, as he recalled that the country was “caught up in global challeng­es and upheavals which have far reaching consequences.

“The impact of armed con­flicts in Europe and Africa, as well as global political and eco­nomic realignments are but a few of these events impacting Nigeria, other countries in Africa and even beyond. Our Senate will remain watchful of, and will be responsive to, these events,” he added.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal, announced Senator Akpabio as the winner of the election, and administered the oath of office on him.

Senator Akpabio was re­portedly the All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred can­didate for the position.

The new Senate President pledged to work and perform his duty in accordance with the provisions of the constitu­tion of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022, Akpa­bio resigned on May 11, 2022 on the directive of President Mu­hammadu Buhari to contest in the presidential primaries of the APC.

Similarly, Senator Jibril Barau (APC, Kano State) was nominated unopposed by Senators David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Salihu Mu­stapha (APC, Kwara Central).

The Clerk of the Senate, Ben Akabueze, swore in the lawmakers.

Continuing, Akpabio said, “I assure you, Distinguished Senators, that I am mindful of the enormous responsibilities that this position calls for. You will have my cooperation in all matters and our joint efforts will be one of team-work.

“It is time now to go for­ward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in our oversight functions.

“Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regard­ing us, and our roles in build­ing a better, safer, more inclu­sive, prosperous, efficient and ethical country.

“I am pleased, as I am sure that you too are, that we have in His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, 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, inclusion 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 the same. We should therefore, anticipate an executive that is pro-active, progressive and practical.

“Our laws must therefore, align with the vision of Mr. President to protect and pro­vide for our people at the in­nermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth.

“Government is a con­tinuum and the Senate is no less so. We shall, therefore, further strengthen the legisla­tive space in continuation of the laudable efforts made by the 9th Senate under the able leadership of H.E. Senator Ah­mad Lawan, GCON, President of the 9th Senate. Chief among these are:

“Gender matters, with spe­cific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusivity; issues relating to persons with special needs and equality.

“Engaging, empowering and rewarding our resource­ful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intel­lectual innovations and prop­erty, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups.

“We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner with His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and provide the re­quired legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and pro­grammes that he espouses for the country. In doing this, I will particularly like to address our distinguished colleagues from other parties.

“Yes! We may have come to the National Assembly through the instrumentalities of different political parties, so it is appropriate to recog­nize and respect our differing perceptions and positions on issues that will be brought be­fore this chamber.

“However, in all matters of national interest, we are en­joined to remember that we are first and foremost, Distin­guished Senators of the Feder­al Republic of Nigeria, before our roles as representatives and members of our individ­ual political parties.

“There is, therefore, every reason to support good poli­cies and programmes of the Federal Government, and I call on you to put this national interest first at all times. Our Senate, the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be a Senate for all Nige­ria.”