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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • PDP, Secondus celebrate Saraki at 56

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has celebrated the President of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as he turned 56 on Wednesday.

    The party described Saraki as a pillar of democracy, a very courageous and patriotic leader and an exceptional administrator, who has continued to make sacrifices for the unity, stability, development and protection of democratic tenets and good governance in our dear nation.

    A statement by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the the PDP noted with pride, Saraki’s courage in providing outstanding leadership in the National Assembly.

    It added that Saraki had upheld the independence of the legislature and its focus in serving only the interest of the people, despite the “harassment, intimidation and siege” on his persons and the parliament, by the Executive arm of government.

    Read Also: 2019: Saraki battles new foes in Kwara

    Similarly, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, also felicitated with Saraki, describing him as a defender of democracy.

    In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, Secondus said Saraki is a foremost democrat who always stands for the rule of law, adding that contributions to the deepening of democracy in the country stands him out.

    The party chair added that Saraki’s return to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he defected to in 2014, was a good political decision that showed his love for true democracy and Nigeria.

    Secondus noted that the prospects of a better Nigeria is very bright if democracy flourishes and great minds are allowed to make meaningful contributions.

  • 2019 Budget: Recovery from recession fragile, says Saraki

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has described Nigeria’s recovery from economic as fragile, stressing that the fundamentals underlying the recovery remain weak, and if unchecked, can lead to dire consequences. 
     
    In a speech he delivered at the budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on Wednesday, Saraki observed that the economy still runs on oil and very little progress has been made in terms of diversification. 
     
    He added that as a result, the expansionary budget policy in effect since 2016, which was aimed at raising spending and stimulating growth in the economy, was not matched by achievable revenue targets. 
     
    According to him, the corollary is higher and rising deficit as well as a considerable debt burden, all due to an unsustainable fiscal stance. 
    Saraki said, “Without doubt, the last three–and–a–half years have been eventful ones at the global level and in our domestic economy. From dips in oil prices to major shifts in the economic landscape, crude oil production shut-ins and security challenges, the economy and Nigerians have been directly impacted by these events. 
     
    “Many businesses closed down and many people lost their jobs during the recent recession. In the same period, we lost innocent citizens to insurgency in parts of the North East, thousands were displaced, and many lives also lost due to clashes between farmers and herders, in addition to the general hardship unleashed by unstable economic winds.
     
    “These are some of the security challenges we have faced. We must take them head-on; it is a battle we must win as a country. It must be admitted that we are not there presently. For one, these security challenges now pose a threat to the viability of the agricultural sector. 
     
    “This is clear in the marked reduction in agricultural output observable since the first quarter of 2018. There is the need for more efforts by all. We here are prepared to give all necessary support to the Executive. We stand ready and committed to assist in every way we can, in order to ensure food security and the protection of lives and property”.

    He bemoaned the under–performance of independent revenues, saying it is straining government’s ability to meet its expenditure, especially investments in critical infrastructure. 

    This, he said, further exposes government to higher deficit levels which have been largely financed by borrowing, stressing that there was urgent need to address the lapses.

    “To be clear, two scenarios will play out if we do not deal decisively with challenges to revenue. These would be to accommodate higher debt with higher repayment costs, which is not sustainable or to reduce the capital budget, which would mean a slow-down in government investment in critical infrastructure. This, again, does not aid growth or economy development.

    “Mr. President, it is for these reasons that the National Assembly required that the 2018 Budget proposal and future ones be accompanied by a Finance Bill, which would give credence to the financial proposals of government. 

    “It is one way of establishing credibility in projected revenues. It is imperative, therefore, that a 2019 Finance Bill is submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    “I have always stressed the importance of setting realistic revenue targets, because we cannot afford to rely on borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure. It is critical we shift focus to generating as much money as required for spending, at least for recurrent needs, so loans can be used solely to fund capital projects”, Saraki added.

    The President of the Senate also deplored what he described as the huge cost deductions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), saying the situation must be addressed without further delay.

    He stated that net oil inflow into the Federation Account is significantly lower than projected on account of these deductions by way of unappropriated petroleum subsidy. 

    Saraki advised that petroleum subsidy should be captured as a line item in the Budget if the government must continue to finance it, stressing that the government cannot shy away from the issue.

    Read Also: Saraki’s aide’s alleged N3.5bn fraud trial stalled

    Continuing, he said, “The current system is opaque at best, fraught with inefficiencies and is a sure pathway to corruption. Estimated deductions for petroleum subsidy claims by NNPC year-to-date can neither be explained by the higher PMS landing cost nor the increased supply of petroleum to the domestic market. 

    “We can better manage these by returning to a more transparent practice of capturing the items as against the erroneous and illegal approach of cost recovery for payment for importation of petroleum products”.

    Saraki said the government cannot get things right if it cannot match budget credibility with predictability, adding that it’s in this regard that the National Assembly passed several constitution alteration bills, including Sections 82 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    “The amendments to these sections are intended to engender timeliness in the formulation and approval of annual budgets as well as restore the country to a January to December fiscal year.

    “May I use this opportunity to request Mr. President to prioritize the assent of this important Bill. That way, delays in the submission and passage of the Budget will be a thing of the past. 

    “Also, the private sector, including local and foreign investors doing business in Nigeria, can plan their investment activities along predictable timelines.

    “Mr. President will recall that in response to the economic recession, the National Assembly enacted a batch of laws to assist the Executive mobilize investment across the country, in order to stimulate economic activities. 

    “These bills are the product of far reaching engagements with the Executive. It is instructive to note that two of these– the Secure Transactions in Movable Assets Bill and the Credit Reporting Bill – are credited with helping to improve our country’s position in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking. 

    “Let me make clear that the National Assembly appreciates Your Excellency’s assent of some of these bills. This is tempered by the fact that some in this stack of priority bills, such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, National Transport Commission Bill and Federal Road Authority Bill, to mention a few, have not been signed into law, contrary to the expectations of many. 

    “We recognize the prerogative of the President to sign or not to sign these bills. However, we believe that some of the issues cited for withholding of assent may be better addressed through further technical engagements, since the bills are, in the main, aligned to government policy direction.

    “Certainly, we as the legislature are of the view that, unless we strengthen our laws to create the right structures that enable the private sector power the economy, we will not be able to create enough jobs and opportunity for our people to thrive and prosper. 

    “Through collaborative efforts and engagements with all stakeholders, we have passed bills designed to help government create jobs, open the entire market to private sector investment and modernise the economy”.

    Commending the President on the Social Investment Programme initiative of the administration, Saraki however noted that the current approach is unlikely to have a sustainable, measurable impact that is free of corruption and abuse. 

    He said, “You will agree with me that such a programme should carry no whiff of politicization. Our role as leaders must always be to ensure that we deliver governance results that do not discriminate; and which ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political stripe have access and are seen to be treated equally. 

    “The National Assembly is willing and ready to work with Your Excellency on the people-oriented programmes of your Administration, to ensure success. 

    “At this juncture, let me assure Mr. President that the National Assembly shall continue to work with your team to ensure that whatever is required through legislation and oversight to plug revenue leakages and ramp up revenues is given priority”

    Saraki commended the President and the Economic Management Team for putting together the fiscal policy document, which he said, is expected to give life to economic and social programmes that are pivotal to national development as the nation goes into a crucial year”.

  • 2019 Budget: Buhari scolds unruly lawmakers

    President Muhammadu Buhari was on Wednesday forced to reprimand some recalcitrant members of the National Assembly who booed and jeered him as he presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill.

    But the presentation of the annual budget was not all marked by booing and jeering.

    Some lawmakers, who attended the presentation, however hailed and applauded President Buhari as the rituals of the exercise proceeded.

    Following the intermittent misdemeanor exhibited by the lawmakers, the President cautioned them to be mindful of their behaviour.

    “The world is watching us,” President Buhari cautioned and added “you are only messing up yourselves.”

    There were indications that all was not well when the President entered the lobby of the National Assembly to behold lawmakers singing anti-Buhari songs.

    Some anti-Buhari lawmakers on sighting President Buhari, burst into the “freedom comes by struggle, freedom comes by struggle, by struggle, freedom comes,” protest song.

    While this was going on, some other lawmakers grouped to cheer the President as he made his way into the House of Representatives chamber.

    The pro- Buhari House members and senators on the other hand shouted “sai baba, sai baba.”

    The development created tension in the entire complex as anti and pro-Buhari elements appeared to have resolved to clash.

    Observers condemned the development as demeaning in all ramifications.

    The National Anthem was taken amid the confusion as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, laboured to maintain order and decorum in the tensed chamber.

    Saraki continued to hit the gavel to keep the peace to no avail.

    The heckling became more serious when President Buhari told the lawmakers details of the Appropriation Bill would be given by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Amina Mohammed.

    What followed was chorus of “no, no, no”

    When the president informed lawmakers the economy has substantially recovered, they yelled “no, no, no, you are lying.”

    Buhari was then compelled to offer some words of caution, saying “the world is watching us.”

    Every step the President took was booed and jeered by the irritant hecklers.

    When the President said the Federal Government has made some milestones in its fight against corruption, the lawmakers screamed “no, no, no, grass cutter, grass cutter.”

    The sharp division almost marred the presentation of the budget but President Buhari kept his cool, ignoring snide comments by the lawmakers.

    As President Buhari reeled out the progress made in the water sector, one of the hacklers shouted: “lie, lie, lie, it is not true, it’s not correct, propaganda, campaign speech.”

    But a lawmaker was heard shouting “this is open challenge to the President. It is completely unacceptable.”

    Another shouted: “Some of our colleagues have gone to a ridiculous level to embarrass Mr. President. We should not allow that.”

    At a stage, it seemed some of the antagonists descended to the level of tampering with the microphone to make it impossible to hear the President.

    The stage appeared to have been set when Saraki merely introduced Buhari without backing it up with the normal speech.

    When the President concluded his presentation, some aggrieved senators and House members prevented Speaker Yakubu Dogara, from giving his vote of thanks.

    On Tuesday, All Progressives Congress (APC) senators met to articulate how to forestall any unpleasant development during the presentation of the budget.

    Members of the House of Representatives also held a closed door meeting same day to prevail on their members to behave themselves.

    The efforts appeared to have yielded nothing.

     

  • Atiku, Obi to hold town hall meeting with Aba business community

    The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi will on Wednesday, hold a Town Hall Meeting with the Aba Business Community.

    The interaction, according to a release by the State Coordinator, Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya will hold at Aba Sports Club by 12:Noon.

    Ogbonnaya in the release stated that the essence of the Town Hall Meeting was for the Candidate to understand first-hand the challenges facing the business community in Aba.

    The release has it that Alh. Atiku Abubakar will be accompanied on the trip by his Running Mate, Mr. Peter Obi, National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Senate President and Campaign DG, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other National Directors of the Campaign Council.

    The Town Hall, which will be interactive, will see businessmen in Aba sharing their challenges with the PDP Presidential Candidate and listening to his plans to improve their business environment should he emerge President of Nigeria.

    Ogbonnaya further disclosed that the Governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu will be the Chief Host while various Atiku Pro Groups and Political Organisations are expected to mobilise their members to the venue of the event.

    “It is common knowledge that since Governor Okezie Ikpeazu mounted the saddle as Governor of Abia State, Aba has taken its rightful place as the SME Capital of West Africa attracting unprecedented attention from Governments and Development Partners,” part of the release read.

  • National Assembly set to receive 2019 budget from Buhari

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to hold a joint session with members of the House of Representatives to receive President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 budget estimates.

    The resolution followed a communication by President Buhari which sought audience to present the Appropriation Bill at a joint session of the National Assembly.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the presidential letter on the floor of the upper chamber.

    The same letter was read and adopted in the House of Representatives last week.

    It is however feared that the ongoing industrial action by members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), may negatively affect the smooth presentation of the budget.

    During the presentation of the 2018 budget, National Assembly workers who also threatened to disrupt the process of the presentation of the fiscal policy were directed to stay at home by management.

    Meanwhile the workers’ industrial action took a toll on the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    Many senators and members of the House did not attend Tuesday’s plenary.

    Some of the lawmakers who saw the intimidating number of angry workers at the main gate to the Assembly complex made detour apparently to avoid being caught in a web of crisis.

    The sitting of the Senate was delayed because the upper chamber could not form the required quorum of 37 members.

    A head count of senators in the chamber showed that less than 30 members attended plenary.

    Saraki entered the chamber around 12.10 pm to behold an empty hollow.

    The Senate President was not deterred as he went on to conduct the business of the day around 12.30pm.

    To show the severity of the situation, only two items on the Order Paper were accommodated before the lawmakers adjourned plenary at 1.05 pm

    Findings showed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, did not deploy fresh operatives to the National Assembly as requested by the National Assembly management

    The leadership of the National Assembly, had late on Monday night, asked the Police and the DSS to ensure adequate security within the vicinity of the National Assembly from yesterday to enable members and staff come in and perform their legitimate duties without any hindrance.

    Read Also: Workers shut down National Assembly

    The directive was said to have been given after a meeting of the joint leadership of the two chambers with the management and representatives of the security agencies.

    The meeting was also said to have been initiated by the political leadership to listen to the management led by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mohammed Sani-Omolori on efforts made so far to address the grievances of the striking staff.

    The letter read, “The leadership of the National Assembly called the meeting because they know that almost all the issues raised by the striking workers were being addressed by the management.

    “And after listening to the CNA, it was unanimously agreed that the management had made sufficient plans and efforts to address all the grievances of the workers and ensure their happiness.

    “We were sure that the issues raised by the workers have been well attended to and that it is necessary for the business of the National Assembly to continue without any disturbance.

    “Both chambers must hold their normal plenary tomorrow morning to prepare the ground for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 to present the budget proposal to the joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    “We have therefore mandated the security agencies to perform their duty of maintaining law and order in the National Assembly Complex and its surrounding. They must enforce the laws which allow the striking workers to down tools if they choose to and also the ones which restrain them from disturbing those who choose to work or stop parliamentarians from entering the chambers or their offices to do the work for which they were elected.

    “Senators and members of the House of Representatives, their aides, other workers and people who have legitimate business within the National Assembly Complex are therefore advised to come in as they will be free to operate without any hindrance and molestation.

    “If President Buhari is unable to present the budget proposal on Wednesday as scheduled Nigerians should hold the security agencies responsible for failing in the performance of their duties”

    The statement was signed by the Clerk, Sani-Omolori.

     

  • Buhari rejects NASS’ approval for refund of N488.7b to states

    President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the National Assembly’s approval for refund of N488.7 billion to State Governments for projects they executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

    Buhari communicated the decision through a letter read by the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday.

    The president said he rejected the National Assembly’s approval because it violated the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

    He noted that whereas the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a total of N487.8 billion for the purpose, the National Assembly jerked up the figure to N488.7 billion.

    He said the amount approved by the lawmakers was N890 million higher than that approved by FEC.

    Buhari said a review of the NASS’ approval, communicated through a July 27, 2018 letter, also revealed discrepancies in the number of states submitted by FEC and those approved by the lawmakers.

    He said, “While FEC approved reimbursement to 25 states, the National Assembly approved reimbursement to 21 states.

    “The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to four states, that is, Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba, whereas FEC approved reimbursement for them.

    “Note that the amount approved by the National Assembly for reimbursement to 21 states is higher than the amount approved by FEC for reimbursement to 25 states.”

    The president added that the amount approved by the lawmakers for each of the 21 states was higher than that approved by FEC for each of them, except for Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

    He urged the Senate to note that the Public Procurement Act 2007 empowers the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve vendors for contract sums.

    According to him, the amounts presented to the national assembly for approval were duly certified for reimbursement by the BPP before they were approved by FEC.

    Buhari said this was after the projects had been inspected through a programme under the chairmanship of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

    The president noted that there was need for compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

    “I wish to request that you forward to us details relating to the amounts approved by the National Assembly for the 17 states in excess of what was certified by BPP, for necessary verification and approval.

    “Furthermore, I wish to request for a review of the reimbursement earlier submitted in favour of Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba states,” the president said.

    In the meantime, Buhari has told the lawmakers that the federal government will proceed with the implementation of the reimbursement on certain grounds.

    First, he said where the amount approved by the national assembly is the same as the amount approved by FEC the jointly approved amounts would be refunded.

    Read Also: 2019: Kaduna women vow to deliver 2m votes to Buhari, El-Rufai

    He identified the states in this category as Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

    Second, the president said where the amount approved by the National Assembly was higher than the amount approved by FEC, the amount approved by FEC would be paid.

    The benefiting states on this are Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara.

    He said the four states (Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba) excluded in the NASS approval would not be refunded until their consideration by the lawmakers.

  • Senate approves names of nominees for NASS commission

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday approved the names of 12 nominees for the board of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).

    This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja.

    The nomination and appointment of the members of the NASC is one of the demands of the striking National Assembly workers.

    Those nominated included Senator Joy Emordi (Anambra) who is being proposed as the Chairman, Nuhu Musa (Jigawa), Hon. Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi (Kebbi), Barr. Femi Agge (Edo), Uthman Olakunle Taofeek (Lagos), Prince Adenekan Olateru-Olagbegi (Ondo) and Amb. Abdulazeez Sheikh Usman (Kwara).

    Read Also: 2019 budget scales 2nd reading in Edo Assembly

    Other nominees are Awalu Aliyu Ohindese (Kogi), Henry Odey Adagba (Ebonyi), Dr. Rufus Omeire (Imo), Hon. Bilyamini Bunbot (Bauchi), and Ahmed Ashemi (Borno).

    In line with the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the National Assembly Commission Act, 2000, the names of the nominees will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment.

  • Secondus alleges plots to arrest Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Dogara

    The national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has raised the alarm, alleging plots by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest some key leaders of the opposition party on trump up charges.

    Secondus listed the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; his running mate, Peter Obi; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other leaders of the party as some of those marked for arrest.

    In a statement issued on Monday by Secondus media aide, Ike Abonyi, the party chairman warned that the country would explode any moment if the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu continued with such impunity.

    Alleging plots to prefer frame up charges against the PDP chieftains, the main opposition party chairman further warned that the country is presently sitting on a gunpowder.

    Prince Secondus further cautioned the EFCC chairman, saying that he won’t get away with the hatchet job he has taken upon himself by using instruments of state to harass and intimidate opposition figures.

    Regretting that Magu has made himself a willing tool for oppression, Secondus said available intelligence indicated that the EFCC chairman was working in cahoots with some prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “They are presiding over clandestine meetings and developing strategies for the APC, which is aimed at caging and crushing critical leaders of the opposition”, Secondus said.

    The party chairman said aside arrest and detention of the targeted opposition leaders, their family members and business associates have also been lined up for intimidation and harassment, including freezing their business interests and their bank accounts.

    He described as an afterthought fabrication, the EFCC’s statement that the two sons of Atiku, whose residence was raided by operatives on the Commission on Saturday, were not the target of the raid.

    Prince Secondus recalled the security search on Atiku on November 11, when he arrived in the country from Dubai, saying the country has gone into full blown dictatorship.

    “After that embarrassment and harassment which was aimed at intimidating the candidate and nothing incriminating was found on him, no apology was extended to him as a former number two citizen.

    “They followed it up with the freezing of the bank accounts of our vice presidential candidate as well as that of his friends and family members as part of a large scheme to keep the party distracted from its focus of regaining power in 2019”, the statement added.

    The PDP chairman said the script being played by the ruling party was meant to bring key opposition leaders to their knees, with a view to grounding them, framing them up and putting them behind bars before the 2019 elections.

    He called on all lovers of democracy and rule of law, especially the international community to rein in President Muhammadu Buhari, Magu and the APC to observe the tenets of democracy that respect the sanctity of the opposition and human rights.

     

  • Vote buying a threat to Nigeria’s democracy – Saraki, Dogara

    President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Monday said vote buying is a threat to the nation’s democracy.

    Speaking at a public hearing in Abuja, they called for urgent action by stakeholders, especially security agencies to check the menace before the 2019 general election.

    The hearing was conducted by the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

    In a keynote address, Saraki said the country was in a delicate situation as the entire world was looking forward to what would happen in the coming general election.

    This, he said, is understandable considering that President Muhammadu Buhari is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).

    “Moreover, the Chairman of INEC is the head of Electoral Commissions in West Africa.

    “With these positions, it is clear that we cannot afford to conduct an election that will not be credible, peaceful, free and fair.

    “It is noteworthy that in 2015, we set an enviable standard that encouraged more countries in Africa to democratize.

    “In 2019, we cannot lower the standard. We must up the ante, because whatever we do will have impact on the continent and serve as a representation of Africa on the global stage,” he said.

    Read Also: Saraki’s aide’s alleged N3.5bn fraud trial stalled

    Saraki noted that the country could not afford to send wrong signals with its actions or inactions in the build-up to the election.

    He said that Nigeria must tell the world in action that it was ready to improve its electoral process by making it more transparent and commendable.

    “At this point, it does seem to me that the onus is on INEC to demonstrate its independence. It should be pro-active and take bold decisions.

    “And this is necessary because the responsibility to conduct a credible poll is solely that of the Commission. This is elemental to retaining the confidence of the electorate,” he said.

    He expressed worry over alleged collusion by security agents with political actors to disenfranchise voters, citing reports of voter intimidation in the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun.

    “We cannot under any circumstances militarize election, because that defeats the purpose of free, fair and credible poll.

    “In an election, access to the polling units for the purpose of casting one’s vote is the bare minimum.

    “INEC must set the rules for their engagement during elections, which they are to follow.

    “The Commission should further seek the co-operation of respective security agencies to ensure strict compliance,” he said.

    On his part, Dogara described vote buying as the highest form of corruption.

    He said although “undue influence of voters” was a global phenomenon, the recent “direct pricing and buying of votes as if in a market square is very disturbing”.

    Dogara said, “It is disheartening that this absurd phenomenon has assumed alarming proportions in recent times.

    “As citizens, we must not surrender to this criminality as we cannot do so and still expect honour.

    “When political office holders defy the law and corruptly assume office, they will always operate as if they are above the law.

    “Vote buying and other sundry criminal manipulation of the electoral process in Nigeria has left our citizens in a state of unmitigated disaster,’’ he said.

    He added that the nation’s democracy had stagnated and would sadly remain so until Nigerians eliminate all sham election that produces their worst as leaders over their best.

    Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Nazif, blamed vote buying on poverty, unemployment, lack of stringent punitive measures, lawlessness, laxity of law enforcement agencies, insufficient voter education, and ignorance, among others.

    Nazif said the public hearing was, therefore, held to seek suggestions from stakeholders on how to find lasting solutions to the problem.

  • 2019: Saraki battles new foes in Kwara

    Two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State are currently in court, seeking to be handed the gubernatorial and senatorial tickets of the party in the state and Kwara central senatorial district respectively. In addition, they want the court to declare the Kola Shittu-led state executive committee illegal. Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports that the development is generating ripples in the camp of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Barely three months to the next general election, some chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, urged on by aggrieved members and groups within the party, are creating fresh hurdles for embattled Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to cross in his bid to retain his political control over the north-central state come 2019.

    Indications emerged during the week that the crisis thrown up by the primary elections that produced Saraki and other candidates of the PDP in Kwara State may not be over just yet as two chieftains of the PDP are currently in court seeking the invalidation of the party tickets given to Saraki by the leadership of the PDP to contest the 2019 general elections.

    Feelers within the camp of the Senate President confirmed that the legal action taken by the aggrieved former aspirants of the PDP, in spite of efforts to address their grievances by the leadership of the party in these state, is a source of concern for Saraki and his associates. “You understand why we will be bothered by such move at a time like this. We don’t want new enemies now, at least not within our own party,” our source quipped.

    Saraki, who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), few months back following lingering face-offs with the leadership of the party and the presidency, joined his former party, the PDP, and moved his political structure out of the APC into his new party, leaving those who stayed back in the ruling party to start rebuilding the APC. To his credit, almost the entire party structure in the state followed Saraki into the PDP when he defected.

    Similarly, Kwara State promptly fell off the grip of the APC and became a PDP-controlled state as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his entire cabinet declared their solidarity and allegiance to Saraki by following him into the PDP. A majority of the members in the state House of Assembly also did the same, pushing the APC out of his majority status to become an opposition party in the assembly.

    But in spite of the ease with which his political family decimated the APC and still held on to the control of government in the state, it appears retaining his control on the politics of Kwara State beyond 2019 may not be an easy string to pull for Saraki. To start with, leadership and chieftains of the APC in the state are vowing that they will do everything humanly and legally possible to ensure that the Saraki political family is checkmated during the next general election.

    Perhaps to help the APC chieftains achieve their aim, prominent leaders of the PDP in the state, led by its then state chairman, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, and other party leaders, left the party the very moment Saraki berthed, following disagreement over control of party structures. In a dramatic move that sent shivers down leaders of the Saraki group, the entire PDP state executive committee joined the APC to further strengthen it across the state.

    Before dumping the PDP, executives have played host to thousands of party members protesting against what they described as “the political leadership of the Senate President.” The protesters who marched along some streets in Ilorin lambasted Saraki and Governor Ahmed, urging the national leadership of the PDP to prevent their coming into the party.

    They carried placards with different inscriptions condemning what they referred to as “bad governance,” “political hegemony” and “under-development” under Saraki’s political leadership. When joining the APC, Oydedepo and other defecting Kwara PDP leaders had also described Saraki as an “anathema.” Chief The erstwhile Publicity Secretary of the party, Rex Olawoye, claimed no right thinking Kwara politician will agree to work with Saraki again.

    However, in spite of the threat posed by both old and new chieftains of the APC in Kwara State to his strong hold on the politics therein, it appeared to many observers of the politics of the state that the Senate President is forging ahead with determination and his eyes on winning the next general election to prove his mastery of the people and politics of the north-central.

    Saraki, Atunwa in trouble?

    But that was before two chieftains of the PDP, Ramat Bola Malik and Rukayat Aromoke Sheu, approached an Abuja High Court seeking the invalidation of the processes that produced Senator Saraki, Hon. Rasaq Atunwa and others as candidates of the ruling party in Kwara State. The duo are claiming that the manner in which the candidates were nominated run against the constitution of the PDP in many ramifications.

    Both applicants have participated in the primary elections held by the PDP in the state to nominate its candidates for the 2019 elections. While Malik contested for the party’s governorship ticket, Sheu had sought the Kwara Central senatorial ticket of the party, a seat currently being occupied by Senator Saraki in the national assembly. According to court papers obtained by our correspondent, both had filed the necessary documents and paid the relevant fees to the party.

    Dissatisfied with the outcomes of the shadow elections, Sheu is seeking an order disqualifying the current senatorial candidate of the PDP in Kwara Central, Senate President Bukola Saraki, from contesting the senatorial election scheduled for February 2019. The plaintiff also claimed in an affidavit in support of the suit that Saraki was unlawfully handed the senatorial ticket by an illegal party executive committee contrary to the provisions of the party’s constitution.

    She added that based on the above grounds, her own nomination by the then Akogun Oyedepo-led state executive committee of the PDP is the acceptable process going by the party’s constitution, and as such, she should be declared the validly nominated senatorial candidate of the PDP for the Kwara Central senatorial district in the 2019 general elections.

    Malik, in another suit, is standing on similar grounds to contest the emergence of Hon. Razak Atunwa as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state just as the applicant would want the court to nullify Atunwa’s nomination by the PDP in the state. Party sources claimed both Malik and Sheu had been severally prevailed upon to sheathe their swords and allow for the resolution of the crisis before they headed to the courts.

    “We thought they had accepted the pleas of well meaning party leaders and members over these matters. It is surprising to see them in court at a time all hands should be on deck towards delivering Kwara to the PDP again. The issues they are laying claim to have to do with the sudden change in the leadership of the party. These are issues we can resolve as party members if truly they are still our members,” another source said.

    Listed as defendants in the suits are the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Saraki and Hon. Atunwa. The complainant accused the PDP of breaching the provisions of its constitution by allowing the Engineer Kola Shittu-led state executive to participate in the September 26, 2018 primary elections in Kwara State as they were not validly nominated to lead the state chapter of the party.

    Consequently, they are seeking a declaration that having been nominated as candidates in a process where the disputed Shittu-led executive committee had participated as delegates, Saraki and Atunwa, as well as all other nominees from the said primary elections, have not been validly elected as candidates of the PDP in Kwara State for the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    In addition, they also seek declarations that the plaintiffs, having been validly elected at the Kwara State primary elections of the PDP held on the 26th day of September, 2018, in which the Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo-led executive had participated as delegates, ought to be declared as the authentic candidates of the PDP in the state for the governorship and senatorial elections respectively.

    From the horses’ mouths

    But when contacted for the position of the state chapter of the PDP on the brewing crisis, the spokesperson of the party, Tunde Ashaolu, expressed surprise at the development because, according to him, the plaintiffs are not known to the party and as such, do not posses any claim to the tickets they are seeking to be awarded by the judiciary through their legal actions.

    “Please what are their names again? And which primary elections are they claiming they participated in? They are not known to the party here in Kwara State and I can tell you they did not obtain our forms to participate in the primary elections. They didn’t contest in any primary election of the PDP. We don’t have their names on our aspirants’ lists.

    “If you can tell me the exact primary elections they truly contested in, then we can know what they are saying and how to address their claims. Ours is the authentic PDP executive in Kwara State and we don’t know them. Anyway, I will get back to you with more detailed response on the matter as soon as I can. Thank you,” Ashaolu had told our correspondent when he was contacted on phone.

    Speaking with The Nation on the matter, Sheu, who insisted that the PDP stands a better chance of winning the next election with her as the senatorial candidate instead of the Senate President who she claims is currently parading a stolen ticket. She expressed optimism that the court will restore her as the validly elected flag-bearer of the party before the elections.

    “I am in court not because of anything other than the fact that I am the legitimate candidate of the PDP in Kwara Central. I am the one recognised by the party’s constitution because I emerged in due compliance with the electoral act 2010 as amended. Those currently parading themselves as candidates were nominated in contravention of our party’s constitution and the electoral act.

    “I learnt someone is claiming we are not known to the party and that we didn’t participate in any primary election. I just want to say the court will soon prove that we participated in the PDP primary elections as we claim. That is why I am praying the court to nullify the candidacy of the illegal bearer and compel INEC to recognize me as the legitimate candidate for the 2019 general election,” Sheu said.

    Asked if it is true efforts were made to resolve the matter amicably before she headed to the courts, the PDP chieftain said nobody approached to ask her for her side of the story. “These are people who believe they can get away with any form of impunity. We complained severally and raised alarm over our stolen mandate but they didn’t listen,” she added.

    “And if they do now, I will no longer agree to an out of court settlement as this will run against my conviction. I have conviction to serve my people and that is the only settlement I can agree to. I also will not want to let my supporters down. If I abandon this struggle to get my ticket back, my numerous followers, who are yearning for a change in Kwara, will not forgive me,” she explained further.