There are strong indications that the elections of the two principal officers of the Senate would adopt open ballot system in line with the Abuja High Court ruling delivered on Monday.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the Court ruling has been served on the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Abubakar Sani-Omolori.
The Court which overruled the use of the controversial 2015 Standing Order of the Senate allegedly described as a doctored document which was not adopted by the Senate through the 8th assembly, was declared null and void, thereby paving way for the use of the 2011 Standing Order.
At the plenary where the election will be conducted are major contenders for the positions of the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim and Ali Ndume.
It was however unclear as at the time of filing this report whether ALI Ndume (APC-Borno) would announce his decision to step down for Senator Lawan before the election begins.
Also present at the Upper Chamber are: Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Chairman accompanied by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who also doubles as the Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Niyi Adebayo, APC Deputy National Chairman (South) and Labaran Maku, APGA representative and Ibrahim Mantu, former Senate President (2003-2007).
Others are: Governor Oyetola of Osun State, Governor Abdulraman Abdulrasak of Kwara State; Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State; Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State, among others.
Sani-Omolori at exactly 9.54am entered into the Senate Chamber preparatory for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly and the election of the President of the Senate and Deputy Senate President, respectively.