NINTH SENATE INAUGURATED, PRESIDING OFFICERS EMERGE
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 has been proclaimed by President Muhammadu Buhari to hold the first session of the 9th National Assembly. The Proclamation is in accordance with Section 64 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The President has delegated the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Muhammed Ataba Sani Omolori to represent him in inaugurating the 9th Assembly.
Accordingly, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Omolori moderated the first session of the 9th Senate and assisted by the Clerk of the Senate Chamber, Nelson Ayewo. He proceeded by reading of the Proclamation Message of the 9th Senate by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mahammadu Buhari. This was closely followed by the Roll Call of the 107 Senators Elect that were in attendance before the Chamber, while two were absent.
The next item that followed was the election of Presiding Officer of the Chamber. Consequently, Sen. Elect Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) nominated Sen. Elect Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) for the position of the Senate President and was seconded by Sen. Elect Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West). While Sen. Elect Ali Ndume (Borno South) was nominated for the Senate President by Sen. Elect Ishaku Abbo (Adamawa North) and seconded by Sen. Elect Ndudi Barinaga (Rivers West).
Only two Senators Elect were nominated to vie for coveted seat of the Senate President, thereafter the Clerk to the National Assembly declared nomination closed, thus paving way for voting. The Open Secret Ballot System was used for the elections. Lawmakers were called one after another based on the State they represent in alphabetical order to collect their ballot and cast their votes.
On conclusion of voting, counting of the votes were done openly and the results announced by the Clerk to the National Assembly immediately. The following scores were obtained by the nominees. Sen. Elect Ahmad Lawan – 79 votes and Sen. Elect Ali Ndume 28 votes. 107 Senators Elect participated in the election.
Consequently, the CNA declared Sen. Elect Ahmad Lawan elected as the 9th Senate President. Sen. Elect Ahmad Lawan was administered Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership.
Similarly, the election into the position of Deputy Senate President was the next item on the agenda. Accordingly, two Senators Elect were nominated for the position. Sen. Elect Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) was nominated by Sen. Elect Ahmed Babba Kaita (Katsina North) and seconded by Sen. Elect Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North). While, Sen. Elect Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) was nominated by Sen. Elect Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) and seconded by Sen. Elect Rose Okoh (Cross River North).
Accordingly, voting was conducted, at the end of which counting of votes was done and results were equally declared by the CNA. The outcome of the election showed that Sen. Elect Ovie Omo-Agege scored 68 votes and Sen. Elect Ike Ekweremadu polled 37 votes. One vote was cancelled and another abstained. Consequently, the CNA declared Sen. Elect Ovie Omo-Agege elected as the Deputy Senate President of the 9th Senate.
Sen. Elect Ovie Omo-Agege was administered Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership by the CNA. With the election of the two Presiding Officers of the Upper Legislative Chamber, the next line of programme is the administering of Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership to all the 105 Senators Elect by the CNA.
Having elected Presiding Officers of the 9th Senate, the CNA handed over the Senate Rule Book and the Gavel to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who has assumed leadership of the Chamber.
The CNA then proceeded to the House of Representatives Chamber for similar assignment.