For Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was a day that started on a note of optimism but ended with heavy losses as the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), Sani Omolori, inaugurated the 9th NASS today, Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

PDP had at the last minute announced its rejection of the candidates adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring its support for Senator Ali Ndume as Senate President and Rep. Umar Bago as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Besides, erstwhile Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu made a surprise late entry into the race for the same position.

However, by the time the voting was over in both chambers of NASS, PDP was left with nothing: Senator Ahmed Lawan thrashed Ndume with 79 votes to 28 while Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila equally defeated Bago with a landslide to emerge as the new Speaker, winning with 281 votes out of 358 votes cast, leaving only 76 for his challenger.

For the Deputy Senate Presidency, Senator Omo-Agege trounced Ekweremadu with 68 votes as against 37.

To complete a clean sweep, Rep Ahmed Idris (APC-Plateau) emerged unopposed as Deputy Speaker.