Ex Akwa Ibom gov, Akpabio announced as Senate Minority Leader

Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio has been announced as the Senate Minority leader. His nomination is against the rules of the senate that exempts first time senators from becoming Senate Minority leaders. He was nominated by the South South Senators in the Senate. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha was named Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda becomes Minority Whip and Senator Bioudun Olujimi is Deputy Minority Whip.

Court Refuses To Stop Appointment Of Senate Minority Leader

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant an interim order stopping the appointment or selection of the Minority Leader of the Senate, a decision which may clear the way for a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio‎, to step into the position.

The plaintiffs – Alaye Pedro and Dr. Okechukwu Ibeh – had in their ex parte application for the interim order indicated that Akpabio had been tipped for the position in breach of the Senate Standing Order which prohibits appointment of a first term senator like the former governor into any principal office of the Senate.

But Justice Gabriel Kolawole, after hearing the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. B. J Akomolafe on Tuesday, dismissed majority of their prayers contained in the ex parte application, holding in his ruling on Wednesday that the plaintiffs not being members of the Senate, lacked the locus standi file the suit and be granted such application.