June 13, (THEWILL) – With less than 24 hours to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the coast is clear for the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West, to emerge as the Senate President.
Akpabio, who has been endorsed by the ruling APC as the preferred candidate for the Senate President, up till now was being opposed by some senators, led by Senator Abdulazeez Yari from Zamfara State.
However, multiple party sources have revealed that as of Monday evening, Yari seems to be alone, as other aspirants including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia State and Senator Osita Isunaso from Imo State, have stepped down for Akpabio.
It was further gathered that all the Senators from the South East, who emerged through the People’s Democratic Party (PDP,) Labour Party (LP), Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the APC, have already agreed to back Akpabio as the 10th Senate President.
This is a major win for Akpabio, who has received overwhelming support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge as the next Senate President.
The former Senate President in the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan has also thrown his support for Akpabio to emerge as the Senate President, a high source in the party confirmed to THEWILL.
Yari seems to have lost senators in his coalition and he is set to face an imminent defeat in the election, which will be held after the inauguration of the 10th Senate on Tuesday.