The Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has announced new principal officers for the Red Chamber.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor made the announcement after a closed door meeting on Tuesday.
According to Akpabio, the officials emerged by consensus.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Ekiti State, was announced as Senate Leader while Senator Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State, as Deputy Senate Leader of the 10th senate.
Also announced was Senator Ali Ndume, Borno State, as Chief Whip; and Senator Lola Ashiru, Kwara State, as Deputy Chief Whip.
Others are Simon Mwadkon (PDP- Senate Minority Leader), Oyewumi Olalere (PDP- Senate Deputy Minority Leader), Darlington Nwokocha (LP- Senate Minority Whip) and Rufai Hanga (NNPP-Senate Deputy Minority Whip).
The Senate President, who welcomed his colleagues back to plenary after the Sallah break, said the APC caucus of the Red Chamber, after due consultation emerged with their leadership.
“I am happy to announce that by consensus the Senate Leader is Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. He will be the Majority Leader of the Senate. Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume will be the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate and Senator David Umahi by all consent will act as the Deputy Leader of the Senate and Senator Lola Ashiru as Deputy Senate Whip,” he said.
“The normal challenges facing our dear country are very open before all of us and so as we resume today it is to work with the aim of stabilising the entire country and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu to ensure rapid economic growth which he has shown so far in less than 20 days in office.
“It is against this backdrop that I call on all senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by extension the entirety of the National Assembly to work together closely and collaboratively with our citizens before any other primordial sentiments or agenda.
“At an auspicious time like this, the country has entrusted us with the responsibility of law-making, oversight functions and representations at all levels to shape the policies and making laws and legislations that will impact positively on the lives of our people and think about renewed hope and the birth of a new Nigeria.
“As we resume today, I just want us to focus on the expectations of our conscience and as we do so may Almighty God help us. We should engage in dialogue and finding common ground in all issues, we will work collaboratively towards the greater good that will transcend partisan lines.”
