Nigeria's senate chief loses reelection bid

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's senate president Bukola Saraki has lost his reelection bid in his northcentral Kwara State, potentially ending an over 40-year-old political dynasty he had inherited from his father.

Saraki, a leader of the opposition People's Democratic Party, polled 68,994 votes to emerge a distant second to the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Ibrahim Oloriegbe who got 123,808 votes.

Long derided for his grip on the state and alleged corruption, the defeat marked the first time the controversial politician has lost an election since his father -- second republic leader of the Nigerian Senate late Olusola Saraki -- made him governor of the largely agrarian Kwara State in 2003.

Saraki Jnr, a London-trained medical doctor, was first elected to the Nigerian senate in 2011 after serving out two terms of eight years as governor -- with corruption allegations often hanging around his neck.

A former member of the ruling APC, he was the first major victim of President Muhammadu Buhari's corruption fight. The court has since cleared him of the charges slapped against him.

Saraki's loss may represent a significant loss to the aspiration of the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Saraki currently leads the party's campaign nationwide as its director general.

In southwest Ekiti state, the senate minority leader Biodun Olujimi also lost her reelection bid. She lost to the candidate of the ruling APC.

Nigeria held its presidential and parliamentary ballots on Saturday amid pockets of complaints of violence and vote buying.

While results for the parliament seats are already known in many states, official announcement of presidential election results will begin Monday morning in the capital Abuja.