Senate president election: I was betrayed – Yari

The senator representing Zamfara west, Abdulaziz Yari, has claimed he was betrayed during the election that saw Godswill Akpabio emerge as president of the senate.

Yari polled 46 votes, while Akpabio secured 63 votes.

The former governor had gone against the dictates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had nominated Akpabio for the position.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Yari said in the wee hours of Tuesday, he was sure that 76 senators were on his side.

“I can say there was a betrayal because as we were taking stock at 3:00 am on Tuesday before the election, we took stock of over 76 people,” he said.

“We took into cognisance that there could be a fall-out of about 15 and we had agreed that if that happens, we would comfortably still have about 61 people.

“What we got was the reverse and yes, I felt betrayed over that outcome.”

Yari said he will work with Akpabio.

“I gave the senate president the assurance that we are going to work together as a team to protect the institution that we have,” he said.

“Life is a cycle and as a Muslim, God has decided who will be the president of the senate for the 10th assembly and I have no reason not to accept what God has decided.”