Senate presidency: Yari’s visit to Buhari thickens contest as more lawmakers pledge support

It emerged yesterday that Sunday’s visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State by erstwhile Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has thickened the contest for presidency of the 10th Senate.

Yari, who is Senator-elect for Zamfara West on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a contestant for the seat, is said to have garnered more support from colleagues in the aftermath of the trip.

Twenty-two Senators-elect had accompanied the ex-governor on the visit, a development that has attracted concerns from opponents and stakeholders.

Senator Sahabi Yau, a serving APC lawmaker from Zamfara State, who confirmed the trip, dismissed speculations that Yari and his team were rejected by Buhari.

“Even if one is not a journalist, it will not be difficult to separate the truth from the falsehood they are spreading. The pictures are very clear, as you can see,” he said.

Another lawmaker stated that contrary to speculations in some quarters, Yari’s ambition received a boost on Sunday, as “he was well received in Daura, Buhari’s hometown.”

He added that many more senators-elect from across political parties used the opportunity to register support for Yari.

Another source at the meeting, including an APC leader, stated: “Sen. Yari was well received by a very jovial former President Buhari,” adding that that at no point did he make any comment in disapproval of his guests in any manner.

Yari and his team had told the ex-leader that they were in Daura to congratulate him on leaving office healthily. They also assured him that they were working towards a cordial legislative/executive relationship under the new administration.