LAGOS JUNE 9TH (URHOBOTODAY)-There was jubilation in the camp of Peoples Democratic Party as Senator Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu were elected as the Speaker of Senate and Deputy Speaker of Senate respectively.
Mr. Saraki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, through the backing of PDP senators defeated his party’s preferred candidate, Ahmed Lawan, to emerge the Senate president. He was nominated by Sani Yerima and seconded by Dino Melaye. Mr. Saraki has been sworn into office.
The election for the office of Senate Deputy President is still ongoing. Immediate past deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, is contesting against Ali Ndume from Borno State.
The immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has been re-elected to the position.
Mr. Ekweremadu is a member of the minority Peoples Democratic Party.
He defeated Ali Ndume of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
He was nominated by Abiye Sekibo from Rivers State.
He won the race following a power sharing deal that had the minority but influential PDP back the new Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The PDP had openly declared support for Mr. Saraki in return for the election of Mr. Ekeremadu as his deputy.
So almost all the senators who voted for Mr. Saraki are believed to have also voted for Mr. Ekeremadu.