How Saraki emerges Senate President

Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, has been elected the president of the eighth Senate.

Mr. Saraki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, 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.

Bukola Saraki was the only candidate that was nominated on the floor of the Senate as his contender, Senator Ahmad Lawan and some of his supporters were absent.

He is expected to win the race following a power sharing deal that had the minority but influential PDP back the new senate president, Bukola Saraki.

In the same vein, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been elected as the Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate.

 The immediate Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu defeated Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume as he scored 54 votes against Ndume’s 20 votes.

75 Senators-elect participated in the election and there was one voided vote.

Both Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu were immediately sworn-in by the Clerk of the Senate, Alhaji Salisu Maikasua.

Bukola Saraki was the only candidate that was nominated on the floor of the Senate as his contender, Senator Ahmad Lawan and some of his supporters were absent. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/bukola-saraki-emerges-new-senate-president/#sthash.JGAqRNrz.dpuf

He is expected to win the race following a power sharing deal that had the minority but influential PDP back the new senate president, Bukola Saraki.