Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected as the Deputy Senate President in a contested election Tuesday after the Senate unanimously elected Senator Bukola Saraki as its president.

Ekweremadu polled 54 votes to defeat Senator Ali Ndume who got 20 votes.

It was gathered that getting Ekweremadu into such a key position was one reason the PDP threw its weight behind Saraki.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had adopted Senator Bukola Saraki for the position earlier in the day.

The party had therefore urged its senators-elect to vote for him.

The elections were conducted by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, .

Saraki was elected after his nomination before 57 senators-elect by Senator Ahmad Sani, seconded by Dino Melaye.

To the surprise of many, his rival in the race, Senator Ahmad Lawan and most of his supporters were absent, thus making Saraki's emergence a walkover.

After his nomination, Maikasuwa asked twice: "Is there any other nomination?" He therefore added: "In the absence of another nomination, Senator Bukola Saraki is hereby elected."

His election was accompanied by a resounding applause.