The clerk announces the presence of 107 senators-elect at the 9th Assembly NASS elections convergence.
In the proceeding, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi from Kebbi nominates Ahmed Lawan for the position of Senate president.
Also, Adeola Solomon Olamilekan from Lagos seconds the nomination.
Lawan, in reaction, said he was standing humbly to accept the nomination. He declares his manifesto, saying he is a representative of Nigerians
“we are in it together,” Lawan said. He continued that hewould ensure that nothing inhibits their work to provide the support that is required for the government to function.
He says though is of the APC stock, the other members, especially those from the PDP, should work without political sentiments.
Lawan promises to work with every member of the Senate and said he will ensure their political differences would not hinder their workings.
He says he is in it for national interest. He receives a standing ovation from his loyalists.
On the other hand, the contender, Ali Ndume said he thanked God for taking him this far in the contest. He said he had presented his nine-point agenda.
According to Ndume, the National Assembly’s Senate presidency had lost its steam. “we now have the senators’ president instead of the Senate president.”
He promised to make the office less powerful and seen as one of the other offices in the National Assembly.
Ndume complained about the country’s budget and said leakages could be blocked to make it easy for the appropriation law to perform without borrowing.
He also said the Senate had faced criticisms over the time-line for passage of budgets, but that he would work to make timelines possible.
In conclusion, Ndume promised to take care of the welfare of the staff and former senators.
The clerk announces that it is time to vote. He says it would be open-secret ballot.
The clerk has declared the commencement of voting, and calls the Senator-elects one after the order to cast their vote.
Voting is Underway, we will bring you more updates as it unfolds.
