The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has sworn in Simon Bako Lalong, the former Minister of Labour and Employment, as the new Senator for Plateau South after he won a legal battle that led to the removal of Senator Napoleon Binkap Bali.
Lalong, a member of the APC, took his oath of office on Wednesday morning, officially replacing Senator Bali from the PDP, who was ousted by the Appeal Court.
Before his swearing-in, Lalong visited the National Assembly on Tuesday to present his Certificate of Return and necessary documents to the Senate Clerk.
During his visit, Lalong met with Deputy Senate President Sen. Barau Jibrin, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Senator Diket Plang representing Plateau Central District, and other Senators.
After taking the oath, Lalong assured his constituents of his dedication and promised not to disappoint them, citing his track record as a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Speaker of the House.
He resigned from his ministerial position by submitting a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday to assume his role as the Senator representing Plateau South.
In the letter, Lalong highlighted the Court of Appeal’s decision affirming him as the rightful Senator and directed the INEC to issue him the Certificate of Return.
Explaining his decision to resign, Lalong emphasized that after thorough consultations with President Tinubu, key stakeholders, and his constituents, it became necessary for him to join the Senate to contribute to the government’s Renewed Hope agenda and the overall growth of democracy in the country.
