Bukola Saraki elected 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.

He was elected unanimously by 57 senators present at the session.

The remaining 51 senators were at the International Conference Centre waiting for a truce meeting reportedly called by the leadership of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

One senator, from Borno state, passed on shortly after he was elected.

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.

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.

Our earlier update indicating Mr. Ekweremadu had been elected unopposed was in error and is regretted.