Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has emerged Majority Leader of the 10th Senate.
Also, Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume was announced as Chief Whip.
Both emerged on Tuesday after a close-door meeting presided by Senate President Godswill Akpabío.
Other principal officers who emerged as announced by the Senate President are Senate Deputy Leader, Dave Umahi, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Lola Ashiru, representing Kwara South Senatorial District.
Also, Senators Mwadkwon Simon Davou (PDP Plateau North) emerged as Minority Leader; Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olarere (PDP Osun West), Deputy Minority Leader, Darlington Nwokeocha (LP Abia Central), Minority Whip and Rufai Hanga (NNPP Kano Central) who emerged as the new Deputy Minority Whip.
Welcoming his colleagues back to plenary after the Sallah break, the Senate President, said the APC caucus of the Red Chamber, after due consultation emerged with their leadership which he said should be the fulcrum of the businesses in the chamber.
“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”.
Akpabio went further: “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.”
The announcement of all the principal officers has put paid to fears that there may be a crisis as a result of a conflict of interest between lawmakers who are close to the villa and those who are contesting on their own.
