Mixed reaction has greeted the emergence, yesterday, of Senator Bukola Saraki as President of Nigeria’s 8th Senate. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a statement, describing Saraki’s election, which it does not support, as “totally unacceptable and the highest level of indiscipline and treachery.”

A cross section of Nigerians interviewed by News express had this to say about the development:

Ogundoro Oluwakayode:

I am dead sure Saraki cannot get away with such abusive disregard to the party decision. I see it as a great threat to APC lasting in power. We are back in PDP's rule and its profligacy, corruption, et cetera.

Victor Damitan:

In my observation, Saraki will decamp back to PDP and take a shot at the presidency but from what I see now, he has just dug his political grave because those he is playing with are real masters of the game, Bukola has committed a political suicide, time will tell.

Jide Jegede:

I think the unfolding scenarios are pointing to the fact that the PDP goons are not yet finished with Nigeria. Vigilance and appropriate actions at appropriate times are what we need to keep them in check. Let us just wait and see.

Ibrahim Babatunde:

The party cannot always have its ways by all means. Let the party also respect the wishes of the people. The election of Saraki shows that even if the party had not conducted the “mockery” election and allowed Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Lawan to slug it out, this is the same way Saraki would have won. I salute his dogged fighting spirit.

Jokotogun Folorunsho:

What do Nigerians expect from Saraki but confusion? By birth, he is half Yoruba & half ‘Northerner’. Onijamba, Kosekoseiye (ajao), spoiler and traitor. He and Other traitors in APC must be punished.

Olatunde Dondowa:

He didn’t box himself into the corner at all. Must Tinubu always have his ways? At least, somebody must know how well to play his cards too to win at times. Afterall, Saraki has PDP blood, APC flesh.

Deinde Idowu:

It is pay back for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He conspired with renegade PDP members to make Tambuwal the speaker of the House of Reps. Now, Saraki conspired with remnants of PDP to become Senate president unopposed while Tinubu and his Unity Forum senators were somewhere else hatching their plot. However, the game is up. To the bargain, a PDP senator, Ihedioha, is the deputy Senate president. APC has started to unravel.

•Photo shows Senate President Saraki.

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