At 12.05 p.m. it was obvious that Dr. Ahmad Lawan would emerge President of the Senate of the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He had scored 54 of the votes of 107 accredited Senators on the floor.
After his votes were totally tallied at 12.12 p.m. he had 79 votes. Ali Ndume, his opponent, got 28 votes.
Clerk of the Assembly announced the official results four minutes later. Two minutes after, he took his Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Senate President. He thereafter signed in and sat to watch the election of his deputy.
Lawan effectivel, at 12.22 p.m., became the first sworn-in Senators. Others remained Senators-elect.
It was also a day of drama.
Adeola Solomon Olamilekan and Opeyemi Bamidele of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others, joined in the drama that led to the delay in proceedings on the first day of sitting. They jumped off their seats flashing what they said was a court ruling asking that the open ballot system be used to vote the two presiding officers of the Senate.
After the shouting match with a few Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by rambuctious Senator Dino Melaye ended, the Clerk of the National Assembly calmly told the agitators that he had not been served any court order.
Ahmed Lawan got a resounding applause after he gave his remarks on being nominated. When he was called to vote, some of his colleagues cheered on in applause, rising to honour him after he voted.
Voting for office of Senate President ended a 11.55 a.m.
At 54 votes, the Chamber erupted in cheers and Senators gathered around around Lawan to congratulate him. Ndume walked up to him at 12.06 p.m. to congratulate him.
