Several members of the Nigerian senate have begin a search for a replacement for Bukola Saraki as senate president as the latter's trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal beckons.

According to Punch, the Senate Unity Forum and pro-Saraki's Senators of Like Mind, have started making contacts on how to agree on an acceptable candidate.

One of the Like Minds Senators said Saraki’s successor might come from his state or from the neighbouring Nasarawa State.

“Both the SUF and Like Minds Senators had agreed to support the emergence of somebody from the North-Central geopolitical zone, a Muslim, who will be a bridge builder and acceptable to every senator.”

He also said the Saraki loyalists, who were in the majority at the upper chamber, had insisted that his successor must also be a member of the ‘New PDP’, a breakaway faction of the PDP which joined the APC at its formation.

“This issue had gone beyond SUF or LMS. We are coming together as one to ensure a rancour free arrangement that would lead to the emergence of a new senate president. Most of the people that we have consulted agreed that another senator from Kwara North should take over the mantle of leadership.

“It has been agreed that with this, the people of Kwara would not feel too bad, while the current arrangement in the red chamber will remain as it is. ”

Some senators were also said to have agreed that the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, would not be affected by the change as he would be allowed to continue in office.

Saraki's trial has been scheduled to start on the 11th of March, 2016.