Again, Tinubu press Akpabio, Tajudeen on lawmakers ahead of crucial vote

President Bola Tinubu once again urged elected members of the National Assembly to support Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom) to become the Senate president and Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna) as speaker of the House of Representatives.

The president made this known when he met a joint session of the National Assembly member-elect comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives across all parties.

The meeting was held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Sources who spoke to Daily Trust advised the legislators to respect the choices of the ruling All Progressives Congress for the National Assembly leadership.

He further called for a common front to fight the challenges affecting Nigerians.

Tinubu reportedly said he had respect for the individual choices of the legislators but quickly added that it would be a great honor to him, if they collectively throw their weight behind his chosen candidates, Akpabio and Tajudeen, as well as Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano) and Benjamen Kalu (APC, Abia) as deputy senate president and deputy speaker, respectively, in the interest of carrying all the geopolitical zones along, Daily Trust reports.

The president tasked lawmakers to put the nation first and downplay party politics in the discharge of their duties.

Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and now Chief of Staff to the President, who was at the meeting, commended Tinubu for initiating the gathering, saying it will further strengthen the mutual relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of government.

The meeting was attended by Akpabio, as well as former governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and Edo, Adams Oshiomhole.

Others were Senator Osita Izunaso, former governors Sani Bello (Niger), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), amongst others.