Yari disregards APC zoning, determined to pursue Senate presidency

Former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has revealed that he is still in the race for the position of Senate President.

Yari made this known while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the induction ceremony of new and returning members of the National Assembly on Monday.

Yari said any senator-elect has the right to aspire to be a presiding officer of the upper legislative chamber.

He said: “I am a loyal party man, nobody has told me that any position has been zoned to anywhere as far as the 10th National Assembly is concerned. Position of President of the Senate is first among equals among the 109 senators.

“Any senator-elect who wants to occupy the position must seek the support of others which I am doing. It is a hire and fire arrangement. I want them to hire me as President of the 10th Senate on the day of the inauguration.

“My becoming Senate President on the day of inauguration lies with a decision that will be made by 108 other senators that day and nothing else. Many of those approached by me have given their support and I won’t disappoint them.”

Yari further stated that it is a common practice for aspirants to seek support from their colleagues for any position they are interested in occupying.

He insisted that the position of Senate President is open to any senator-elect who can garner the support of others.

The ruling party had nominated Senator Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau as President of the Senate and Deputy Senate President respectively.

However, Yari is still hopeful of winning the position, saying that he is seeking the support of his colleagues to realise his ambition.

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