The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has administered the oath of office to Simon Bako Lalong, the immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, as Senator for Plateau South.
Lalong, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), took the oath on Wednesday at 11:56 am, filling the position of Senator Napoleon Binkap Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was ousted by the Appeal Court.
Before the swearing-in on Wednesday, Lalong submitted his Certificate of Return and other necessary documents to the Clerk of the Senate at the National Assembly on Tuesday. During this visit, he met with various Senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Senator Diket Plang representing Plateau Central District.
In a statement to reporters after the oath-taking, Lalong assured his constituents of his commitment, emphasizing that he had always kept his promises since his tenure as a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Speaker of the House.
He emphasized that joining the Senate was his top priority, resigning from his ministerial role to fulfill this commitment.
It would be recalled that Lalong submitted his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, citing the Court of Appeal’s declaration of him as the duly elected Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District.
He expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in him by President Tinubu during his time as a Minister and Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, which secured victory for the APC.
