Senator Bukola Saraki Makes History as Senate President
History has again been made, as Senator Bukola Saraki of the APC, was elected as President of the 8th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The new Senate President was elected unopposed during the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP, was also elected, Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate.
This is the first time in the history of Nigeria’s legislative experience that the two key principal officers are emerging from different political parties.
“This development is significant for institutional memory and the growth of the legislatureâ€, said Dr Ladi Hamalai, Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies. She stated that the emergence of the two key principal officers from two different political parties, is a classical demonstration of the level of the development of our democracy.
Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a medical doctor, began his political career as Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Budget Issues. He was elected Governor of Kwara State in 2003, under the PDP. He served two terms before winning an election to become a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2011.