The people of Yobe, the home state of the new President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, have expressed excitement over his emergence as the head of the Red Chambers, saying “it is a reflection of national interest.”
The people reacted in separate interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Tuesday, as the leadership of the 9th National Assembly was inaugurated in Abuja.
Senator-elect, Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe), won the Senate presidential election held at the Senate Chamber on Tuesday.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori, made the announcement in Abuja.
Lawan and Senator-elect, Ali Ndume (APC-Borno), contested for the highest position.
While Lawan polled 79 votes, Ndume got only 28 votes.
Sani-Omolori declared that having scored the highest votes, Lawan had been duly elected as Nigeria’s Senate President of the 9th National Assembly.
Alhaji Muhammad Gagiyo, the Zanna Dujima of Bade, described the election of Lawan as a new dawn for patriotism and national development.
He said, “Nigeria now has a committed Senate president with a passion to serve the country and improve peoples’ lives.
“The new Senate president over the years exhibited commitment with quality representation of his constituency. We are
optimistic that he will provide the required leadership to the Senate to see national service over and above selfish interests.”
The community leader appealed to the legislators to support and cooperate with the new leadership to achieve the set goals of
improving the lives of Nigerians.
Alhaji Ibrahim Usman, a member of APC in Yobe, said the new leadership would provide the support to move Nigeria forward.
He added that “Sen. Ahmed Lawan has the required leadership skills for a friendly and productive Senate.”
Alhaji Mamman Suleiman, the Majidadin Bade, another community leader, described the election of Sen. Lawan as well-timed one to support the policy and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari -led administration.
Suleiman assured that the competence and commitment of the new Senate President “will translate into improving the lives of Nigerians.
Abubakar Musa, a student of Political Science, Yobe State University, said the emergence of both the Senate president and deputy president from the ruling APC was a good omen for the ruling government.
He said “the party has produced both the president and deputy president, unlike what was obtained in the last leadership.
“The lawmakers should, therefore, settle down and work assiduously for government to actualise its programmes and improve the lives of citizens.”
