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Tag: Saraki

  • Saraki has no block support in Northwest, says Aliero

    Saraki has no block support in Northwest, says Aliero

    Senator Adamu Aliero yesterday faulted the claim that Senator Bukola Saraki’s Senate presidency ambition has received a blanket support from some senators in some states in the Northwest.

    Aliero, a former Kebbi State governor, in a statement yesterday, said there was no meeting of senators from the zone with  Saraki during his visit at the weekend.

    The statement said: “I have read with surprising disgust the story published in one of the national dailies in which infantile claims were made about the purported blanket support secured by Senator Saraki from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara in the Northwest for his Senate Presidency ambition.

    “Nothing could be farther from the truth. No such meeting took place with Kebbi’s senators-elect. This is not correct.

    “I want to state categorically that such a meeting never took place and thus no blanket support could have been secured as claimed by the Saraki group in a news report  titled:  “Senate Presidency: Saraki consolidates as Lawan’s Group hits the rock.”

    The report, he described, was “riddled with innuendos, half truths and political incantations of no value.”

    “The Senator Ahmed Lawan group remains in strong contention and will not descend to the level of disparaging anyone through sponsored stories that are fabrications and aimed at misleading the unsuspecting public.”

     

  • Arewa youths back Saraki for Senate Presidency

    Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) have thrown their weight behind Senator Bukola Saraki’s bid for the Senate President.

    Its President, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said: “Saraki’s leadership traits make him eminently qualified to lead the Upper Legislative Chamber and deliver democratic good to the Nigerian citizens”.

    He added: “We admitted that in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we have vibrant and amiable personalities bubbling with energy to embark on duty to turn around Nigeria for the better. In this vein, I would want to digress and go personal to call on personalities such as Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to avail himself to provide leadership in the Senate. This call has become imperative when we look at track records and capacity to deliver which leaves no one in doubt about his capability and competence.”

    According to Yerima, the incoming administration must hire capable hands to help translate the resolve of and determination of the humble General, Muhammadu Buhari to bring about the much desired and anticipated change in all ramifications.

    He added: “We wish to call on committed patriots and genuine lovers of our nation to present themselves for leadership positions in both the Senate and House of Representatives.  As we all know, the legislature plays a vital and significant role in a democracy, it is indeed a citadel. That is why we must do everything possible to ensure that we have not only capable hands but those that can deliver.”

    While noting that Nigerians were full of desire for the government to deliver the much anticipated change in a short time possible, Yerima said, “what is on ground clearly shows that Nigerians must give time, exercise some patience or even moderate the high expectations because we are sure people are aware of the level of decay and rot in the system.”

    This, Yerima said, “it may require utmost circumspection and careful approach to issues which will obviously require time, patience and understanding.”

  • Lawan Saraki split APC

    Lawan Saraki split APC

    Resolution of adoption of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki by 35 like minds senators as sole candidate for the office of the Senate President of the 8th National Assembly

    Senators of the like mind are here today at the retreat organized by our dear Party All Progressive Congress, which is meant to equip and empower Senators-Elect of the 8th Assembly to prepare them toward the challenges ahead. We commend the leadership of our party for this timely and well-focused exercise.

    The issue of National Assembly leadership is about integrity, competence, discipline and leadership skills and not about fixing of candidates just for mere horse-trading. Our stand is about electing a senator who eventually becomes the chairman of National Assembly and relates with the executive on behalf of Nigerians, fellow Senators and the National Assembly as an institution.

    Furthermore leadership of National Assembly, is about the Senator that has the wherewithal to stabilize the legislative institution, working with the executive and judicial arm of government to be effective and perform to their optimal capacity.

    In addition, we are aware of the fact that ALL Senators from the North Central zone has taken a firm position that they are only interested in the office of the Senate President which has been earlier zoned by the National Working Committee of our party and we are also aware that North Central Senators have resolved to abide by the resolution of the zone on a single candidate and anything short of this is an attempt to jeopardize the collective interest of the zone.

    Of the 59 Senators of the APC, 35 of us present here today hereby reaffirm our collective commitment and resolution to ensure that the candidature of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the Senate President of 8th Assembly.

    We also resolved that the office of the Deputy Senate President be zoned to the North East.

  • Senate Presidency: Saraki unfolds agenda

    Senate Presidency: Saraki unfolds agenda

    THE Chairman of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday unfolded his agenda for the 8th Senate, if elected its president.

    Saraki spoke during an interactive session with reporters in Abuja.

    He said one of his cardinal objective would be to make the ordinary man on the streets know and feel the impact of the work of the upper chamber.

    The Senator representing Kwara Central said it was necessary for the red chamber to reconnect with the citizenry for the legislature to be representative of all.

    He insisted that some Nigerians still ask what legislators are doing at the National Assembly because they have not been made to understand the nature of their assignments.

    Saraki said: “What I am hoping to be able to contribute is to be able to see at the legislative arm of government that we can begin to have an impact on how the country improves.

    “I think one of the major concerns by the Nigerian people is that they don’t really feel the impact of those of us in the National Assembly, whether in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

    “That is why people will begin to ask you what are they doing there? How do they affect my daily life? I think that is what we should begin to do.

    “We have to begin to reconnect with the Nigerian people and to reconnect in the sense that we have a National Assembly that Nigerians can begin to see its value and they can now know the reason why they are there.

    “If you ask a lot of Nigerians today, they will just tell you that those are just 400 – 500 legislators that they really can’t see what they are doing either back in their constituencies or impact nationally.”

    He added that it was time for the legislature to begin to play active roles on how major issues that affect the people are being solved.

    He argued that even though the Senate had played stabilising roles in moments of dire crisis in the nation, it was time for it to go beyond its past achievements to fashion out a national agenda and laws that transcend party lines.

    He said: “If we are to address unemployment, I don’t think we will have any differences. If we are to address diversification of the economy – talking about agriculture or mining – I think both the APC and the PDP will be on the same page.

    “If you are talking about transparent management of a central account for our revenue, we will be on the same page.

    “So, these are major policy issues that the National Assembly must be seen  to be playing a key role in supporting.”

    He said Senate and the House of Representatives needed enhanced collaboration to effectively legislate in the interest of Nigerians.

    “I think there has to be a better cooperation between the House and the Senate because it is a bicameral house that we run and if one House passes a law and then the other chamber has to wait up to two years to pass the same law, the essence of that law would already have been defeated,” Saraki said.

    On the perceived delay by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to done the National Assembly leadership positions, Saraki said it was a non-issue.

    He said Nigerians bought into the change promised by the party because they believed they would do things differently.

    The senator said allowing due process in the choice of the Senate President would make it easier for unity and progress when the lawmakers are allowed to choose their leaders.

    He said those spreading information that he should not be supported for the Senate President because he has ambition to contest the 2019 presidential ticket of the APC were mere propagandists.

    He said they were only out to unduly tarnish his image.

  • Yoruba youths rally support for Saraki

    Yoruba youths rally support for Saraki

    The Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA) yesterday appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mandate its Senators-elect to elect Senator Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate.

    Opeyeoluwa said the APC should make Nigerians proud by presenting to them the best person for the office of the President of the Senate.

    The group said: “With due respect to other contestants, Saraki is the best man for the job in all standards.

    “Saraki represents an opportunity for the Senate to live true to its finest hour since the return of democracy in 1999.

    “A natural leader with flair for the welfare of people, Saraki will make a definite mark in the annals of our country, if he is elected Senate President.

    “It is time for a new generation of leaders to take charge of the Senate. Saraki is in that mould and to see him lead the Senate would be like watching a grand master conducting an orchestra.”

  • Court stops IGP, others from arresting Saraki over disputed bank loan

    Court stops IGP, others from arresting Saraki over disputed bank loan

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday stopped the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from inviting or arresting the former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, over alleged bank loan being investigated by the Police Special Fraud Unit since 2012.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a judgment yesterday, also barred the IGP and his agents, especially the operatives in the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), from harassing, intimidating and breaching the fundamental rights of the former governor and his aides.

    The judgment was on a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed against the IGP and others by the former governor.

    Justice Mohammed held that any attempt to commence any further interrogation of Saraki, which actually started since 2012 and over an issue already declared closed by the Minister of Justice, will amount to a breach of fundamental rights of the senator.

    The judge noted that it would be unfair for the senator to be subjected to further interrogation by Police having been cleared of any wrongdoing by the AGF in the report police willingly submitted to the minister.

    Justice Mohammed’s decision was particularly informed by a legal opinion by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), that the allegations of wrongdoing against Saraki were baseless and unfounded.

    The legal opinion of the minister, which was tendered in court, was a response to the report submitted to him by the Inspector General of Police on police findings in a complaint of Joy Petroleum Limited.

    The judge said the court had no choice than to give effect to the legal opinion of the Minister of Justice that the complaints against Saraki were baseless, unfounded and not supported with any documentary evidence since he has no link with Joy Petroleum Limited, the complainant.

    The court also held that police ought to have stopped any further harassment of the senator since the AGF had officially written to the Inspector General of Police to discontinue the matter.

    Justice Mohammed refused to rely on the depositions of Police that they were acting on further evidence, adding that the failure by Police to attach even a single document to support the bogus claim was fatal to their depositions.

    “In law, the court cannot rely on any averment that is not supported with even a faint documentary evidence”.

    “The failure of Police to produce in court the provisional findings submitted to the Minister of Justice and the letter of the Minister to the Police indicate that the case was not favourable to the Police”.

    The judge also quashed and set aside the three letters of invitation sent by Police to Saraki for further interrogation in relation to the loan, for having no effects whatsoever.

    Saraki had sued the IGP over series of letters of invitation extended to him by the police to appear before the Special Fraud Unit for further investigation over the bank loan.

  • Senate Presidency: EFCC not after Saraki, says aide

    Senate Presidency: EFCC not after Saraki, says aide

    Special Assistant to Senator Bukola Saraki on Media Affairs Mr. Bamikole Omishore said yesterday that contrary to insinuation in some quarters, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not in any way after the former Kwara State governor.

    Omishore said the clarification became necessary following alleged plan by some people to tarnish the image of the lawmaker.

    He said those behind the plot were those opposed to Saraki’s towering position in his quest to clinch the position of the Senate President when the Eight Senate is inaugurated in June.

    Omishore, who spoke in Abuja, said Saraki’s detractors have started parading fabricated documents aimed at misleading members of the public.

    He noted that the purveyors of the false document claimed that the EFCC had perfected plans to  re-open fresh fraud allegation against the senator.

    The aide said those behind the plot were always coming up with unfounded allegation of financial fraud against Saraki whenever he (Saraki) comes out to contest any election.

    The same trick, he said, “is also employed by Saraki’s political opponents whenever he (Saraki) exposes fraudulent dealings of powerful individuals in the country”.

    Omishore described as immaterial and belated, the latest “fabricated and false” information alleging that the EFCC is planning to reopen fresh fraud charge against the lawmaker.

    He insisted that relevant security and other relevant agencies had since cleared Saraki over the false claim allegedly involving him as a director of the defunct Société Générale Bank.

    He also said the same agencies had also cleared Saraki over what he described as frivolous petition against him on his tenure as Kwara State governor from 2003 to 2011.

    The legislative aide added that the police and the Office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation had since 2012, absolved and cleared Saraki of any criminal allegations.

    Omishore added that to the best of his knowledge, there was no case currently involving Saraki and any anti-corruption body.

    He noted that  the allegation of financial fraud being played up against Saraki by detractors, started since 2003, few years into the former governor’s first tenure in Kwara State.

    Saraki, he said, had to waive his immunity when he was governor to allow the EFCC officials to investigate the allegations and petitions against him.

    The aide said it was on record that the anti-graft agency found the petitions to be lacking in merit or substance after it concluded its investigation.

    Omishore said: “In September 2006, the EFCC chairman then, appeared before the Senate and named Saraki’s administration as one of the five state governments with the highest level of integrity in Nigeria.

    “The issue was laid to rest until 2011 when Saraki, on the floor of the Senate, incurred the wrath of a cabal in the  Nigeria’s oil and gas industry when he exposed their alleged monumental fraud.”

    Omishore noted that the oil thieves had since then been deploying different tactics to witch-hunt Saraki.

    He said: “The oil thieves decided to connive with some people in government to turn a civil issue between the senator and a bank customer into a criminal matter”, which was investigated by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police.

  • Senate presidency: APC may conduct primaries for Lawan, Saraki, Akume

    Senate presidency: APC may conduct primaries for Lawan, Saraki, Akume

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not keen on zoning principal positions in the 8th National Assembly especially Senate presidency and speakership of the House of Representatives.

    It prefers to allow members decide those who lead them.

    The party, according to its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has decided to throw the positions open to those interested in occupying them.

    He hinted that the APC would rather “do what we did during the presidential primaries.”

    Top ranking party officials are understood to have been holding consultations on the sharing of positions to avoid cracks in their ranks and ensure a smooth take-off for President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

    Six blocs in the party are said to be interested in the various offices.

    These are members of the New PDP who defected to APC, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and the South-South.

    The South-East and the South-South are eyeing the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Chief Odigie-Oyegun, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governor Chris Ngige and ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu tipped as the favourites.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that party leaders from the nation’s six geo political zones have been locked in marathon consultations on power sharing in the last one week.

    The latest of such held on Thursday in Abuja on how to give every bloc a sense of belonging and keep APC family united.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have started consultations because the polity is being heated up on how to share power in the new administration of Gen. Buhari.

    “While we consider the heat as normal in a democracy, we will not allow the jostle for power to cause crisis in our party.

    “Some of us believe that once we get the take-off right, there will be stability for the new government.

    “So far, six blocs have emerged in the party seeking for inclusion in the power sharing formula. They are New PDP, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and the South-South.

    “Three of the most vocal blocs comprise of members of the defunct New PDP, the North-East and the South-West who are making a strong case for top positions.

    “While the North-East is calling on the party to address its marginalisation and suffering under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the New PDP said their sacrifices must be appreciated in the power sharing modules.

    “The North-East said it delivered the second largest bloc votes after the North-West during the presidential poll.

    “The South-West also claimed that it virtually lost relevance in the scheme of things under Jonathan and ought to be adequately compensated.

    “These tendencies are at play in the jostle for the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the National Assembly.

    “We are trying to accommodate all these tendencies in such a manner that it will be a win-win situation for all.”

    The National Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke on the phone, said: “We will throw these positions open, we will do what we did during the presidential primaries.

    “There has been much noise these days. We will allow the members of the National Assembly to choose their leaders.

    “Nobody is going to impose leaders on the Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives. Otherwise, there will be no stability.

    “There are too many interests, let them sit down and decide who should be their leaders.

    “We have got to a stage that we should allow them to elect their leaders on their own and move forward with our plans for the nation.”

    It was gathered that some leaders of the party from the South-East and South-South have been recommended for the SGF slot.

    They are Chief Odigie-Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governors Chris Ngige and Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Chief Audu Ogbeh from the North-Central is also belived to be in convention.

    None of those mentioned was willing to talk on the speculations.

  • Saraki backs Kwara govt to outlaw thuggery

    A former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said he will support the state government to outlaw lawlessness and restore peace to trouble spots.

    The senator representing Kwara Central spoke yesterday against the backdrop of the recent fracas in Ilorin, the state capital, when he paid a condolence visit to victims of the street disturbances.

    Saraki had donated N3 million to heads of the five families, whose homes were torched during the fracas at Agbarere and Ita-Ajia areas of Ilorin.

    At Agbarere Quarters, the heads of the five families said three persons died and several property destroyed.

    Saraki gave each affected family N500,000 while the head of the family at Ita-Ajia also got N500,000.

    The senator also donated N250,000 to the Magaji-Aare of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Subair, whose vehicle was vandalised by the hoodlums.

    He said: “On the basis of that, whatever needs to be done – either law or executive action – I am sure the state will do that. We will support anything that will ensure the sustainability of this level of peace and tranquility.

  • Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday expressed solidarity with Nigerian workers, urging them to uphold the spirit of resilience that has propelled the nation to greatness.

    He also urged workers to sustain the hands that produce the wealth of the nation just as he told employers of labour to reciprocate the workers’ gesture through improved welfare.

    According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja the Senate President said: “On this day as always, I salute the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian worker. I commend your resilience and steadfastness that have kept the nation alive.

    “I am to remind you to always make productivity the cornerstone at all times. That way, you will be contributing to the survival of the nation.

    “To this end, I earnestly request that we review our strategies and penchant or resort to industrial action at will.

    “I am convinced that dialogue remains the best road map towards resolving any disagreement no matter how complicated.

    “Resort to strike action always carries far reaching political and economic consequences which unarguably retard growth.

    “As a people, we must think otherwise in the interest of our nation. Development can only be achieved if labour and employers work along the same line.”

    Also yesterday, the Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, saluted the workers as they marked the May Day celebration.

    Saraki urged them to remain steadfast and courageous in the face of current economic turmoil which has created a situation where some states are not able to pay salaries on time.

    Saraki, who issued a statement in Abuja, said: “Every first day in the month of May provides an opportunity to salute the efforts of the labouring hands behind the socio-economic balance of our great country.

    “I join millions of Nigerians not only to felicitate, but also to commend the boundless efforts and sacrifice by Nigerian workers.

    “In the quest for sustainability, stability, tranquility, and social growth of our fatherland, the civil servants remain the gear and the driving force. Today therefore will remain a historic day of appreciation.

    “I use this opportunity to implore our dear workers nationwide to remain steadfast and courageous as Nigeria passes through the current economic turmoil which has created the challenge of some states not being able to pay salaries on time.

    “This I believe our president-elect will urgently and aggressively attend to.

    “I commend the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for the leadership they provide for Nigerian workers and urge them to close ranks to hold a united front to assist the 8th Assembly to build on the achievements of improving work conditions in Nigeria.

    “The labour of our heroes, past and present, must never be in vain.

    “As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am committed to raising and supporting Bills that will create jobs, protect the Nigerian workers and improve our work environment.”