The voting in the election of a new Senate President and the next chairman of the National Assembly has commenced with Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Zamfara West Senator-elect, Abdulazeez Yari, slugging it out.
There was disagreement over the nomination of Yari with an argument that he is not a returnee Senator but it was overruled on the ground that he is a former member of the House of Representatives and that the Senate Rule allows his nomination.
Earlier, Borno South Senator-elect, Ali Ndume, nominated Senator Godswill Akpabio for the office of Senate President. The nomination was seconded by Ogun West Senator-elect, Solomon Adeola.
Also, Adamawa North Senator-elect, Ishaku Abbo, nominated Abdulazeez Yari and the nomination was seconded by Senator-elect Jimoh Ibrahim with Yari subsequently accepting his nomination.
Meanwhile, Tahir Monguno had raised a Point of Order 3 Sub Rule 1 of the Senate Standing Orders, arguing that one who is not a returnee Senator cannot be nominated for the office of the Senate President.
Monguno, who is coming from the House of Representatives, said the rules specify who should be Senate President.
But the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Magaji Tambuwal, overruled Monguno, stating that the Rule allows a former member of the House of Representatives elected to the Senate.
The CNA thereafter declared the nominations closed and voting commenced with elections results being awaited.
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