Barau was nominated by the former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and seconded by the lawmaker representing Kwara North, Saliu Mustapha.
Barau accepted the nomination and emerged as the Deputy Senate President of the 10th Assembly unopposed.
Having emerged unopposed, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, declared Barau as the Deputy Senate President.
Barau had thrown his hat in the ring for the Senate President but after a meeting with the president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Kano lawmaker withdrew and took the position of the Deputy Senate President.
The position was keenly contested at the initial stages with lawmakers Sani Musa and Orji Kalu expressing interest in the seat.
However, upon Barau’s choice as the favoured candidate, Musa withdrew from the race but refused to camp with the Akpabio/Barau ticket while Kalu continued in the race till Monday evening when the governors and lawmakers from the South-East met with the Akpabio, Barau and the president.
Musa also on Tuesday morning declared his support for the party’s choice.
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