Ashiru replaces Umahi as Senate Deputy Leader

• Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the new appointments at plenary

The Senate on Wednesday appointed Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru of the All Progressives Congress representing Kwara South as its new Deputy Leader of the Senate.

The Senate also appointed Senator Nwebonyi Onyeka as the new Deputy Chief Whip.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the new appointments at plenary.

Ashiru, who was hitherto the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate was elevated to the position of deputy leader of the Senate which became vacant, following the appointment of Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the red chamber has stepped down the consideration of a motion calling for the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger borders.

Recall that following the overthrow of Niger’s civilian government, the Nigerian government had in August ordered the closure of all borders with the Niger Republic and disconnected power supply to the country.

In a motion during Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano) stated that the border closure had deteriorated economic activities in many border towns like Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe states.

Sumaila, while urging the Federal Government to consider reopening the borders, noted that “the closure runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigeria constitution that guarantees the security and welfare of the citizens.”

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Red Chamber had resolved to back the resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on the political situation in Niger Republic.

Akpabio, therefore, urged Senator Sumaila to withdraw the motion, saying the reopening of the borders had security implications.

The Kano lawmaker thereby withdrew the motion.