APC zoning arrangement won’t stop my Senate presidency bid – Yari

Former Governor of Zamfara State and Senator-elect for Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, yesterday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning arrangement for leadership of the 10th National Assembly would not stop him from pursuing his Senate Presidency bid.

Yari stated this while fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the induction programme held for senators and members-elect in Abuja yesterday.

Senators Godswill Akpabio (South South) and Barau Jibrin (North Central) were favoured by the party for Senate President and deputy respectively.

But Yari said his aspiration was not an affront against his party but in line with constitutional provisions.

• Kano enrolls 108,664 vulnerable persons in health scheme
• Madrid join the race for Osimhen

“My aspiration for presidency of the 10th Senate is covered by relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which, to me, is superior to any other law or arrangement.

“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.

“The 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’m doing.

“My becoming Senate President on the day of inauguration lies with the decision that will be made by senators that day and nothing else,” he said.

Also, senators- elect, Sahabi Ya’u (APC, Zamfara) and Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra), told journalists at separate interviews that lawmakers, not party arrangement, would decide who becomes Senate President.