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Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta Central, has emerged Deputy President of the 9th Senate. He emerged in an election held on the floor of the senate on Tuesday during the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.
Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) contested against Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Omo-Agege scored 68 votes while Senator Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West, scored 37 votes.
All the 107 senators-elect present voted in a secret ballot system. One vote was invalid and one senator abstained. The senator who abstained was Senator Ali Ndume who earlier in the day lost his Senate Presidency bid to Senate Ahmed Lawan.
Ekweremadu’s nomination was a surprise one because up till Tuesday morning, his party was behind the candidature of Senator Kabiru Gaya of the All Progressves Congress (APC).
Omo-Agege won despite the fact that some senators hold responsible for leading a band of thugs to seize the mace while the Senate was in session last year.
After the election, Senate President Ahmed Lawan swore in all the senators in batches.