Senator Abullahi Yahaya from Kebbi South Senatorial District, has been announced as the Senate Majority Leader while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from Abia South Senatorial District is the Minority Leader.
Their nomination along with others for the posts of key officers was announced on Tuesday at the plenary.
It followed the endorsement of the nomination by the majority and political parties – All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, read the nomination letters from the secretariat of the two political parties.
While the letter from APC was signed by its national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, that of the PDP was signed by Prince Uche Secondus.
Others selected are Boroface Ajayi (Ondo-APC) as Deputy Senate Leader; Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia-APC) as Chief Whip and Abdullahi Sabi (Zamfara-APC) as his deputy.
On the side of the PDP, Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-PDP) is the Deputy Senate Leader; Phillip Aduda (FCT-PDP) as Minority Whip Sahabi Yau (Zamfara-PDP) as Deputy Minority Whip.
The senators were taken to their respective seats by the Sergeant-at-Arm of the Senate as directed by the Senate President.
The Senate Majority Leader, Yahaya, spoke after the announcement, describing his selection as a lifetime achievement.
“I thank Mr President and my colleagues for this honour done on me and I will not disappoint you,” he said.
He added: “We are all representatives of Nigerians no matter the party that sponsors us to the Senate.
“I hope that Sen. Abaribe and I will find a common ground to serve Nigerians better as a Senate.”
Said Abaribe: “I want to thank my party and each and every one of my colleagues for this opportunity.
“When we step beyond this door, we do not see ourselves as PDP, APC and APGA.
“We have three duties here as senators; one to Nigerians as representatives of the people; two, to ourselves and three to God who has made this place conducive for us.”
