I’m Still in Race For Senate Presidency–Yari Insists

Senator Abdul'aziz Yari claims he is actively running for the prestigious position of Senate President ahead of the start of the 10th Assembly.

At the same time, the All Progressives Congress (APC) north central women's group criticized the National Assembly's major officers' seats' zoning system. The ladies, led by Hajia Zahrah Mustapha, demanded that the zone be included in the seating plan for the National Assembly.

The Zamfara-born lawmaker's statement follows rumors that he was under pressure to resign in favor of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the candidate that President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu favored.

However, Yari revealed in a letter to senators-elect that he is still meeting with other senators and members of the ruling APC in an effort to fulfill his ambition.

“While in the Senate, you should always be reminded that you are indebted to your constituencies and should work towards attracting development projects to your people,”

"This, in the first instance, is the reason you are elected to serve, and this is why you need a Senate President that is compassionate, honest, fair-minded and result driven," he noted.

When choosing the Senate's president, who is first among equals, it is time to avoid using religious, tribal, nepotistic, and ethnic feelings.

“You must therefore not disappoint them in any way because your actions, inactions, omissions and commissions may affect them directly or indirectly.

“The division among Nigerians resulting from religious, tribal and ethnic sentiments is a narrative we must all work together to change for the country to move forward.

“You must all think up ways to work towards building a better and united country to make it safe for all. The voyage you are embarking on is a journey for the unification of Nigeria.This is an opportunity to rebuild this country in the interest of all.”

In an interview with some important party leaders in Abuja, Zahrah stated that the North Central Zone made a significant contribution to the party's success in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

She urged the party leadership to review the zone decision, but added that given the sacrifices and significant contributions made in helping the party win at the parliamentary and executive levels, the North-Central must be effectively integrated into the overall plan.

In order to ensure that individuals who must represent the zone are persons of excellent character, vision, and capacity to provide effective leadership and representation that will set a new developmental agenda for the zone, she continued, there must be wider consultation with stakeholders.

Zahrah criticized the previous system of nomination for appointment, claiming that it consistently rewarded individuals who did not support the party's cause at the expense of those who toiled assiduously day and night for its success.

However, she expressed hope that the party would act morally and idealistically this time, not just by giving the zone proper respect through appointments but also by making sure that individuals who received them were deserving of such positions.