LAWAN AND GBAJABIAMILA TAKE OVER FROM SARAKI AND DOGARA

Senator Lawan from Yobe State and Gbajabiamila, the annointed son of Tinubu emerge as new leaders of National Assembly after today's election.

Yobe North Senator, Ahmed Lawan, has been announced as Senate President on Nigeria's Senate President.

Mr Lawan polled 79 votes to beat his closest rival, Ali Ndume, who garnered 28 votes.

The Election of Senate President was held at the first session of the Senate on Tuesday.

After a secret ballot voting, the clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, announced Mr Lawan's victory to the cheers of Senators and others in the chamber.

Mr Sani-Omolori said 107 senators cast their votes.

"It is my pleasure to announce that Senator elect, Ahmed Lawan, having scored the highest number of total votes cast is hereby returned duly elected as Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he said.

Former Senate Leader, Mr Lawan is the favoured candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

His nomination was moved in a motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and seconded by Adeola Olamilaken of Lagos West.

At the House of Representatives, Former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been declared the new speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

Mr Gbajabiamila scored a total of 281 votes to beat his rival, Umar Bago, who scored 76 votes.

After a secret ballot voting which lasted for over 3 hours, the clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, announced Mr Gbajabiamila’s victory to the cheers of many of his supporters.

“Femi Gbajabiamila, having secured the majority of the votes counted is hereby returned elected and declared speaker of the house,” he said.

Mr Gbajabiamila and Ahmed Lawan, the new Senate president, were backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in their bid for the National Assembly’s highest positions.