Akpabio made the announcement after a closed-door session which lasted about 10 minutes.
He also announced Sen. Oyewumi Olalere (PDP-Osun) as Deputy Minority Leader; Sen. Darlington Nwokocha (LP-Abia), Minority Whip, and Sen. Rufai Hanga (NNPP-Kano), as Deputy Minority Whip.