Tinubu Meets Betara, Gadgi, Soli, Others at State House

Ganduje, Bawa too Senate Presidency: Only God's decision will prevail, says Yari Abuja South-south residents endorse ex-Zamfara governor's ambition

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met with some members of the House of Representatives,who have expressed interests in contesting the office of the Speaker of the 10th National Assembly.

Also, the president met with the immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

This, nonetheless, a leading contender for the position of Senate President, Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West, has said nobody should contest the will of God because only the Almighty could install leaders

Yari, a former governor of

Zamfara State, stated this at the same time that the South-south community in Abuja, the nation’s capital, paid him a courtesy visit and endorsed his aspiration, which they claimed was in nation’s interest.

However, Tinubu’s meeting with members-elect in the House of Representatives, also had in attendance, the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including the party’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The president had earlier met with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase.

Among those at the meeting, which started at about 7pm, were Yusuf Gadgi, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/ Federal Constituency;

Sada Soli, representing Jibia / Kaita Federal Constituency; Miriam Onuoha, representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency; and Muktar Betara, representing Biu/ Bayo/Shani/Kwayar Kusar Federal Constituency, among others.

But Yari, who seemed determined to see his aspiration through said only the will of God would prevail in the current race for the position of the 10th Senate president.

"People should not contest with God. Only God, Allah that we worship installs a king, no other person. It is only God, who enthrones or makes the king. This is to call the attention of anyone, who thinks that he enthrones and dethrones.

"Those that are on the throne should remember that they were given the throne by God and that

God never shifts from where he is. This is a clarion call for everyone. It is only God, it is only God's decision that will prevail," he said.

While urging political stakeholders to do the right thing by following the rule of law, Yari said, "President Bola Tinubu while taking his oath of office said he would rule Nigeria with the rule of law and the constitution. We are waiting.

"I am proud to be a founding father of where we are today and I have no regret. But let us see where the rule of law will go," he said, even as he called on all Nigerian leaders to address the issue of South-south collectively.

His words: "The issue of the South-south is very clear to all Nigeria leaders. They are many, they need to be addressed collectively. The livelihood of South South is farming, fishing and others but today because of the land degradation, that is no longer there.

"Also because of the structure of government that is set up by colonial masters, we are just looking for what to do," he said, noting that relying on oil alone was no longer realistic, and that the issues bedeviling the South-south could be resolved.

Speaking at the meeting, a former Inspector General of Police and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of South South Community in Abuja, Mike Okiro, told Yari that his people were with him.

Pledging that they would support his ambition to become the President of the Senate, he said, "We are here to tell you that we are with you, we support you. We are with you in prayers. We are going to spread the news of our visit. We hope that God will hear our prayers and bless your ambition."

In his speech, Coordinator of the group, Chief Premier Bello, pointed out that over the years, the South-south has always been in partnership with the North, adding that the partnership has been mutually beneficial.