Ekweremadu steps up for Saraki as Unity Forum Senators walk out

For the first time since the inauguration of the 8th Senate, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu took over from Senate President, Bukola Saraki presiding over the Senate.

Saraki was away at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa attending the Ministerial Inauguration as President Muhammadu Buhari set up his Cabinet.

This is the first time an opposition Senator will be presiding over the upper Chamber since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democratic rule.

However during plenary Ahmad Lawan and George Akume in company of some of their colleagues within the Unity Forum, walked out in protest Ekweremadu presiding over the Upper Chamber.

In a written statement by the Secretary of the forum Suleiman Hunkiyi titled: “The Conspiracy against the APC finally consummated,” the group congratulated Buhari on the inauguration of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, expressing discontent at Saraki’s absence.

“We notice with grave sadness the handover of the hallowed chamber of the senate today to the opposition party, the PDP by the senate president Ike Ekweremmadu as the PDP herdsman to preside over the majority membership of the APC led chamber.

“It is a very sad development that must be denounced by all well meaning APC members and leaders alike.

“With this to show our protest as APC senators of the 8th Senate wish to announce that we shall cease to attend any sitting presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the 8th Senate,” the statement read.

Ekweremadu was elected Deputy Senate President on June 9, 2015 after the Senate unanimously elected Saraki as its President.

Ekweremadu had polled 54 votes to defeat Ali Ndume who got 20 votes.

This victory set off angry spasms within the APC camp, who described the victory as “a sham, treachery and insincerity.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling APC and current Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed lamented that the PDP which was supposed to play a credible opposition in the 8th Assembly, has “hijacked the National Assembly.”