8th Senate: Saraki sworn in as President, Ekweremadu Deputy, amid tight security

Senator Bukola Saraki (APC-Kwara Central) was on Tuesday sworn-in as President of the 8th Senate, while Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu-West) was sworn in as Deputy Senate President.
Saraki’s swearing in by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Salisu Maikasuwa, followed his nomination by Senator Ahmed Yerima (APC- Zamfara West) and seconded by Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West).
Saraki was elected unopposed by 57 out of 108 senators-elect.
51 senators, including Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North), were not present as at 10:30 a.m. when Saraki was returned as elected.
Lawan was a major contender for the seat of the President of the Senate and was the choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the Saturday mock election.
Lawan alongside other supporters had allegedly gone for a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari aimed at resolving the impasse among the contenders.
Meanwhile, Ekweremadu was sworn as Deputy President of the Senate, after he polled 54 votes to defeat Senator Ali Ndume (APC- Borno-South), who polled 20 votes, while one vote was declared invalid.
The day’s activity started at 10 a.m. with the reading of President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclamation by the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Abubakar Maikasuwa.
Thereafter, former President of the Senate, David Mark, and other senators-elect took their oath of office.
Maikasuwa later ordered the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Mr Adedotun Durojaiye, to take roll call of the Senators-elect present at the Hallowed Chamber.
Maikasuwa, in the course of the roll call, cautioned all senators-elect against raising any Point of Order.
Election then commenced at 10.30 a.m.
Meanwhile, journalists and other persons accredited for the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly on Tuesday trekked from the Eagle Square to the Assembly Complex amid tight security.
Persons not accredited to participate in the inauguration were turned back from the Eagle Square while those accredited were not allowed in with their cars.
The entrance to the complex was cordoned off while heavily armed security personnel mounted sentry in and around the complex with sniffer dogs.
As of 9 a.m., none of the lawmaker had arrived in the National Assembly as the APC Senators-elect were said to be meeting with Buhari.
However, the complex wore a new look as it was decorated with the national colours of green and white as well as other adornments to commemorate the day.
Dance troops from the various ethnic backgrounds also entertained guests and passers-by outside the gate.