Senator Bukola Saraki, backed by minority senators of the All Progressives Congress and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who earlier endorsed him today "emerged" as the President of the Senate. SaharaReporters learnt 57 senators were present at today's meeting at the National Assembly. The "election" was presided over by the Clerk of the National Assembly.The election held was majority of his party members were meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Center in Abuja, a meeting Saraki shunned.
The Kwara state senator led a group of renegade senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress in a revolt against the party hierarchy which had chosen a different candidate for the office of Senate president.
The Saraki's "election" was witnessed by some PDP leaders led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. Saraki and leaders of PDP met overnight and plotted his election pairing him with former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP. the election of Ejkweremadu was ongoing as at the time of publishing this report.
Today election was witnessed by notable APC senators led by former Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State, Dino Melaye, Shabba Lafiagi and Sanni Yerima Bakura.
The "election" took place without the legal proclamation of the Senate by President Buhari.