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Following My Defeat, I’ll Have Time To Rest – Ekweremadu
A former Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu, says he is not discouraged by his loss to Senator Ovie Omo -Agege , who defeated him in the deputy senate election .
Ekweremadu, who was deputy senate president from 2007 to 2011 ; 2011 -2015 and 2015 to 2019 ; said now that he is no longer in power , he will have time to focus on other things .
He said he ran for the office of the Deputy Senate president to make a statement .
Speaking with journalists after losing the contest , the Peoples Democratic Party stalwart said he only made the decision to contest a few hours before the inauguration of the Senate .
Omo -Agege polled 68 votes to defeat Ekweremadu who polled 37 votes.
Ekweremadu lamented that Omo -Agege , who was accused of snatching the Senate ’ s mace in 2018 , could be rewarded with such a position .
He said, “ We need to exonerate ourselves . It was not a contest to win or lose; I wanted to make a statement . For over 20 years, I have been very busy with politics and governance .
So, I think I can have a rest and reflect on other things .
“ I believe there must be a referendum . Look at what happened on a day I was presiding and the chamber was invaded . It is embarrassing that someone who led that operation will take a bow and will be endorsed and we all walk home like it doesn ’ t matter.
“ I wanted a situation where we could present a referendum in respect of what transpired .”
Ekweremadu said he thought the All Progressives Congress would produce a consensus candidate that we can all be proud of .