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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Saraki disagrees with Uba on new polling units

    Saraki disagrees with Uba on new polling units

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki, on Thursday faulted pressure being put on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend its proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling units across the country.

    Saraki in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Bamikole Omishore, in Abuja, noted that the view of the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, was at best his personal opinion.

    He said the call for the suspension or cancellation of the exercise by Uba should not be construed as a resolution of the Senate on the matter.

    Uba had written a letter to the INEC, advising it to suspend the exercise or risk being barred by the Senate.

    Saraki said INEC should be allowed to decide whether to go ahead with the exercise or not as an independent organization irrespective of the opinion of the Senate committee on electoral matters.

    However, Saraki warned politicians to stop interfering in the activities of INEC in order not to compromise its independence.

    He, however, urged INEC to maintain its credibility by holding strong the founding tenets of the organization which is independent of any political party or group.

     

     

  • 2014 budget implementation faulty, says Saraki

    2014 budget implementation faulty, says Saraki

    Former Kwara State Governor Bukola  Saraki has described the implementation of this year’s budget as faulty.

    Saraki, who is the Senate Committee Chair on Environment and Ecology, lamented that contracts were just being awarded by most of the federal ministries and parastatals, wondering if such contracts would be completed this year.

    The senator, who is also a member, Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions Committee, spoke yesterday with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    He said: “The last time we passed the 2014 budget, I got up and made a comment that I was not happy with the way the budget was passed because I believe we did not deliberate enough on actual expenditure. Budget is an estimate and when you do not review your actual, then it is likely that your revenue estimate may be wrong. In 2013 when we had done budget estimate that we will be producing 2.5 million barrels of oil and at the end of the day we were only doing 2 million barrels; that is what distorted the budget.

    “Again, in 2014,  in majority of the ministries, contracts are just being awarded. So if they are just awarding contracts in October, is it possible to have implementation? The answer is no; these are some of the challenges that make us say the budget implementation is faulty and will not meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    “I think, we at the National Assembly need to review the way we go about the budget implementation because for example, the key issue is revenue and without revenue, there can’t be expenditure. But if you open the news every month, about six pages are dedicated to all the allocations given to every local government.”

    The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked: “But do we have publications of revenue? Do we know how much the country is making on volume of oil production?

    “We don’t and that is not where the focus is. If you want to have your budget implemented, your revenue must not be distorted. If you are expecting N10 and you only get N7, which budget are you going to implement?

    “The budget for 2015, if it is going to come now and when it comes to the National Assembly my own appeal is that we should spend time and debate what happened in 2014 before we really go into the issue; to be sure that projections and estimates are right and sustainable. I am afraid until we do that, budget implementation will not be right.”

  • 2014 budget implementation faulty, says Saraki

    Former Kwara State Governor Senator Bukola Saraki has described the implementation of the 2014 budget as faulty.

    Saraki, the Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, said contracts were just being awarded by the majority of the federal ministries and parastatals.

    The lawmaker, who is also a member of the Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions Committee, spoke to reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    His words: “The last time we passed the 2014 budget, I said I was not happy with the way the budget was passed because I believed we did not deliberate enough on the actual expenditure.   “Budget is an estimate and when you do not review your actual, then it is likely that your revenue estimate may be wrong. In 2013 when we did a budget estimate that we would be producing 2.5 million barrels and at the end of the day we were only producing 2 million barrels; that was what distorted the budget.

    “Again, in 2014 the majority of the ministries’ contracts are just being awarded. So if they are just awarding contracts in October, is it possible to have implementation? The answer is no. These are some of the challenges that make us say the budget implementation is faulty and will not meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    “I think we at the National Assembly need to review the way we go about the budget implementation; because for example, the key issue is revenue. Without revenue there can’t be expenditure. “

  • 2014 budget implementation faulty – Saraki

    2014 budget implementation faulty – Saraki

    Former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, has described the implementation of the 2014 budget in the country as faulty.

    Saraki, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, said that contracts were just awarded by many federal ministries and parastatals.

    The Senator spoke reporters in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    He said: “The last time we passed the 2014 budget, I got up and made a comment that I was not happy with the way the budget was passed because I believe that we did not deliberate enough on actual expenditure. Budget is an estimate and when you do not review your actual then it is likely that your revenue estimate may be wrong.

    “In 2013 when we did budget estimate, we announced that we will produce 2.5 million barrels of oil and at the end of the day we only produced two million barrels and that distorted the budget.

    “Again, in 2014 majority of the ministries’ contracts are just being awarded. So if they are just awarding contracts in October, is it possible to have implementation? The answer is no, these are some of the challenges that make us say the budget implementation is faulty and will not meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    “I think, we ourselves at the National Assembly we need to review the way we go about the budget implementation, because for example the key issue is revenue as without revenue there can’t be expenditure. But if you open the news every month about six pages are dedicated to all the allocations given to every local governments.”

  • APC’ll emerge stronger from primary, says Saraki

    APC’ll emerge stronger from primary, says Saraki

    Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge stronger from its December 2 presidential primary.

    Saraki was responding to insinuations that the ambition of APC presidential aspirants would tear the party apart at the primary.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, he said: “This is propaganda from the opposition. I assure Nigerians that the primary would not disintegrate the party, but unify it. After the primaries of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party did not disintegrate but became stronger.

    “In the early days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Alex Ekwueme contested a primary and the party did not disintegrate. I have sat with General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso and there are assurances from them that whichever way the primary goes, they will support the party. When we merged with the legacy parties, the opposition said the party would disintegrate. After that, they said it would disintegrate at the national convention.

    “The party will not disintegrate because we are all making sacrifices every day. It is not easy to come together to take on a government with this level of impunity. We are doing this because we truly believe is the best for Nigeria. I have utmost confidence that everyone would rally round whoever emerges as the presidential flag bearer.”

    On whether he has a presidential ambition, Saraki said: “I will make my position known soon. I appreciate the demands I have seen coming from different parts of the country on this issue. I believe 2015, for a lot of us, is all about Nigeria. It is about the sacrifices that will have to be made. The key thing is to rescue Nigeria and put it in the right direction.”

     

     

  • Saraki: APC ‘ll emerge stronger after primaries

    Saraki: APC ‘ll emerge stronger after primaries

    Former Kwara State governor Senator Bukola Saraki is confident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge stronger after the December 2 presidential primaries.

    He responded yesterday to insinuations in some quarters that the ambition of the APC presidential aspirants would tear the party apart after the primary election.

    Saraki, the lawmaker representing Kwara Central and a chieftain of the APC, briefed reporters in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Said he: “This is a propaganda by the opposition. I assure Nigerians that the fact that we are going to have primaries should not disintegrate the party. I believe the primaries will even help unify the party. We saw it during the era of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). After the primary election, the party did not disintegrate. Rather, it made it stronger.

    “Even in the early days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Alex Ekwueme went for primaries and the party did not disintegrate.

    “I have had the opportunity to sit with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and there are assurances from them that whichever way the primaries go, they will support the party. When we merged with the legacy parties, the opposition said the party would disintegrate after the merger. Later, they said by the time we organised the national convention, the party would disintegrate.

    “APC will not disintegrate because we are making sacrifices everyday. It is not easy to come together and take on a government with this level of impunity. We are doing this because we believe this is the best way for the country. I have confidence that whoever emerges as the presidential standard bearer of the APC, we will support the person.”

    On whether he has a presidential ambition, the Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology said: “Very soon I will make my position on the presidential poll known. I appreciate people’s concern on this issue.

    “I believe 2015, for a lot of us, is about Nigeria. It is about the sacrifices we will have to make and we will take the decisions based on the sacrifices.

    “The key thing is that we must rescue Nigeria. We must put the country in the right direction. Nigeria is not in the right direction and I think nobody’s personal ambition is too big for that.”

     

  • Saraki, others endorse Ahmed for second term

    Saraki, others endorse Ahmed for second term

    FORMER governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, and other stakeholders have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office.

    This lay to rest months of speculations and anxiety that the Senate Committee Chairman on Ecology and Environment might not consider his godson for another term in office.

    The endorsement was the outcome of a crucial meeting at Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ilorin home of Senator Saraki on Thursday night.

    The general consensus at the meeting was that Governor Ahmed stood out for ensuring peace and harmony within the party during his first tenure.

    Though they admitted there are challenges, the stakeholders stated it was better to endorse Ahmed for a second term in office due to his loyalty to the party, the people and his humility.

    A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Aiyedun, after the opening formalities, specially requested the support of other stakeholders from Kwara North and Kwara Central to grant Kwara South the opportunity to produce the state governor for a second term.

    Alhaji Aiyedu, who is from the same Kwara South senatorial district with the governor, was said to have hinged the request on the performances of Ahmed and the need to deepen the legacy of continuity and equity.

    The Kwara central senatorial chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, according to a source, also aligned with the request of his counterpart from the south

    The source quoted Alhaji Adesina to have said: “Governor Ahmed has shown unequalled humility and loyalty to the party structure, leadership and the people of the state despite his gubernatorial position.

    “I, however, advise the governor to ensure wider spread of dividends of democracy across the board.”

    A party elder from Kwara North, Senator Ahmed, said the governor has achieved a lot despite the shortfall in revenue.

    He, however, advised the governor to consider other zones for political patronage.

    The APC woman leader, Sarah Adebayo, on behalf of the women folk endorsed the second term bid with a request that effort should be made to ensure 35 percent affirmative action.

    Saraki, who is the APC leader in the state, it was gathered, marvelled at the 100 percent loyalty of the governor, which makes him deserve another term in office.

    Referring to Governor Ahmed’s decision to defect with him to APC, Saraki hailed him for remaining steadfast despite serious pressure to turn back.

    He added that Kwara is the only state in the country which has remained peaceful despite a transition.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, on his decision, Saraki said: “In my own view, I believe that he has performed. He has provided leadership.

    “He has built up from where we left. He has been able to bring significant development despite the paucity of funds in the state.

    “He has shown responsibility and we believe that leaves him in that direction for another four years for him will be good for the state.”

  • Pray for Nigeria’s military —Saraki

    Pray for Nigeria’s military —Saraki

    Former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, has urged Nigerians to use this Sallah celebration to pray for our military men and other security personnel to combat terrorism.

    He said that they toil hard day and night towards securing the country’s territory and bringing back the abducted girls from Chibok, Borno State.

    Saraki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), added: “This  particularly is the recipe for peace that Muslims the world over are enjoined to put an end to violence and raging crisis that threatens our peaceful co-existence.

    “As Nigerians, It is important for us to unite on all fronts and live harmoniously with people of other faiths while carrying out our religious obligations.

    “The moral lessons of these historical characteristics of Prophet Ibrahim must not be forgotten.”

  • Photo: 50th birthday kiss

    Photo: 50th birthday kiss

    Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Speaker, Federal House of Rep. Hon. Aminu Tanbuwa,former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki and the Celebrant, Barr. Oluwatoyin Saraki during the celebration of 50th Birthday of Mrs. Saraki in Ilorin. Photo: Ayodele Issac
    Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Speaker, Federal House of Rep. Hon. Aminu Tanbuwa,former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki and the Celebrant, Barr. Oluwatoyin Saraki during the celebration of 50th Birthday of Mrs. Saraki in Ilorin. Photo: Ayodele Issac
  • How I escaped fatal accident – Oyegun

    How I escaped fatal accident – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief John Oyegun, Friday narrated how God used former Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, to save him from being involved in a fatal motor accident in Niger State

    Oyegun said two of his aides were still recuperating at the hospital.

    Oyegun disclosed this in Benin City at a special thanksgiving mass organised to celebrate his 75th birthday.

    The former Edo State governor said he was to travel by road to Niger State to attend the campaign rally for the Niger East senatorial election but was stopped by Senator Saraki.

    He said,”I am celebrating God’s goodness in my life. God has been so good to me. As I was going with my entourage to Minna to campaign, Saraki called that I should join him on a flight when we get to Ilorin.

    “My car was later involved in an accident. God prevented me from going on the road. My orderlies are still at the hospital.”

    Oyegun said the APC would win the Niger East senatorial election and go ahead to retake Adamawa State in the forthcoming governorship election.

    He urged APC members to join hands and fight together until victory is achieved in 2015.

    Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, thanked Oyegun for standing by him during the Osun gubernatorial election and urged him to repeat the same feat at next year’s general elections.

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, stated that APC under the leadership of Oyegun would become the ruling party of Africa’s most populous country.

    The Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, described Oyegun as the “political John the Baptist” that would bring change to the country.