The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) this afternoon completed its coup in the 8th National Assembly, helping Hon. Yakubu Dogara to win the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, instead of Femi Gbajabiamila, the chosen candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the election just concluded in the lower chambers, Dogara defeated Gbajabiamila with 182 to 174 votes.
Earlier in the morning, PDP had equally sprang a surprise by helping to install former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, as the Senate President as against Senator Ahmed Lawan, the preferred candidate of APC.
The voting took place while the bulk of APC Senators were away at the International Conference Centre, waiting in vain for President Muhammadu Buhari, who was expected to meet with them in a last-minute bid to reconcile the warring factions in the party.
•Photo shows House of Reps Speaker, Right Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
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