Our Reporter, Abuja with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The South-East managed to get the slot of Deputy Leader as the Senate announced its principal officers today.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the immediate-past Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi as the Deputy Senate Leader.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC Ekiti Central, was announced the Senate Majority leader, while former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC Borno South, as the Senate Chief Whip; and Senator Lola Ashiru , APC, Kwara South, was announced the Deputy Whip.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus of the Senate after consultations has emerged with their leadership, which will be the fulcrum of commencing other businesses of the chamber.
“I’m happy to announce that by consensus, the Senate Leader is Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele. He will be the Majority Leader.
“Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) will be the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate; Senator David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi), by your consent, will act as the Deputy Leader; and Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) will be the Deputy Chief Whip,” Akpabio announced.
The principal officers were nominated by the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in a letter sent to the Senate President.
South-East was only able to get the place of the Chief Whip of the Senate in the ninth Senate when Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was made the the Senate Chief Whip.
Meanwhile the tug of war for the Senate Minority Leadership also ended on Tuesday with the announcement of Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Plateau North Senatorial District, as the Minority Leader.
The announcement of Mwadkwon upsets Senators Aminu Tambuwal, Abdul Ningi and Adamu Aliero who were seen as frontrunners for the position coming from the camp of the candidate of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
“The majority of members of the Senate Minority Caucus of the Senate made up of seven political parties have come up with their leadership.
“They are Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon as the Minority Leader; Senator Lere Oyewumi (PDP, Osun West) Deputy Minority Leader; Senator Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central) as the Minority Whip; and Senator Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central), as the Deputy Minority Whip,” Akpabio said during the announcement.
