A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has described the upholding of the election of Dr Bukola Saraki by the Legislative Houses Election Petitions Tribunal as a validation of the people's mandate freely given to Saraki in the March 28 poll.

Baraje,in a statement in Ilorin on Wednesday expressed satisfaction that the will of the people had prevailed.

He hailed the Judiciary for affirming the people's mandate and remaining unbiased umpire.

Baraje congratulated Senator Saraki and wished him success in the onerous task ahead of him as the President of the Senate.

He called on opposition to join the ruling APC in building an egalitarian society that all Nigerians will be proud off.

Baraje said " I want to congratulate Senator Saraki and wish him success in the onerous task ahead of him as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The opposition should throw in the towel and join us to build an egalitarian Kwara".

"The atmosphere in the Senate is now calm and Senator Saraki has been able to manage the affairs of the Senate effectively, but he needs the support of all Nigerians to succeed," he said.