Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, has attributed his loss of the election for the country’s number three seat to betrayal by some of his colleagues.
Recall that Yari on Tuesday lost the senate presidency to Senator Godswill Akpabio in a keenly contested election.
Akpabio, former Akwa-Ibom State Governor and lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North-West was the anointed candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emerged as President of the 10th Senate after polling a total of 63 votes to defeat his challenger Yari also of the ruling party, who got 46 votes.
Speaking during an interview on Thursday in Abuja, Yari disclosed that his calculations as of 3 am on Tuesday showed that he would get at least 61 out of the 109 votes available, which would have been enough to see him win the election.
Despite feeling betrayed by the turnout of events, the former Zamfara governor believed only God knew what transpired.
“Yes, I can say there was a betrayal. That’s the truth because as we are taking stock as of 3 am, Monday-Tuesday election, we took stock of over 76. But as usual, human beings, we thought we are going to get a pullout of about 15 which we will have a comfortable 61 to win the election,” he stated.
“But it’s become the reverse which only God knows what happened. So, I feel betrayed but life continues and it’s a cycle.”
Asides from Akpabio, Senator Jibrin Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, emerged unopposed as Senate Deputy President, succeeding Ovie Omo-Agege.