By Tony Orilade/Desmond Utomwen/Abuja & Adetutu Audu
The News

True to expectations, Senator David Bonaventure. Alakhenu Mark, from Benue South, this afternoon emerged as the sixth Senate President in this 4th Republic, beating former Governor George Akume to the exalted seat. At the end of the more than three hours exercise, mark scored 68 votes to beat Akume who scored 39 votes. One of the senators-elect (Chimaraoke Nnamani) was absent while another abstained.

Mark, the consensus candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was nominated by Senator Lee Maeba from Rivers State.

His nomination was seconded by the only Accord Party Senator, Patrick Osakwe.

The election, which was televised live, showed senators-elect signifying their choice by standing up for their candidate.

At the end of the exercise, it was obvious that Senator Mark had carried the day. Before the election, security was tight within and outside the National Assembly as thousands of supporters and well-wishers of the lawmakers were denied entry into the complex.

The police had a difficult time keeping the crowd at bay. The immediate past governor of Niger State, Engineer Abudlkadir Kure, was among the visitors denied entry into the complex.

The former governor, whose wife is among the new senators, was denied access into the gallery where important guests sat, by the sergeant-at-arm.

The sergeant-at-arm sent him back because he had no invitation card to attend the ceremony.

Guests at the ceremony included former governors, senators, ministers and traditional rulers