Ike Ekweremadu, the former deputy Senate President, has said his decision to contest again for the position at the formation of the 9th Senate is to protest against the invasion of the National Assembly last year.
Mr. Ekweremadu who did not indicate interest to aspire for the position until few hours to the election of principal officers at the National Assembly was nominated by his colleagues at the red chamber.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker was however defeated by the preferred candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Mr. Omo-Agege was alleged to have led thugs to invade and cart away the symbolic power of the red chamber last year.
Despite being indicted by the Senate committee that investigated the incident, the APC lawmaker was not prosecuted.
Mr. Ekweremadu presided over plenary when the thugs struck and took away the mace from the red chamber. The upper legislative chamber symbol of power was later found under a bridge in Abuja, the nation’s capital.