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Tag: Saraki

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, APC governors meet in Aso Villa

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed doors with Senate President Bukola Saraki and some All Progressives Congress (APC)  governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governors, who were around at the President’s office before Saraki arrived the forecourt of the Presidential Villa at 4.18p.m, moved back into the office with Saraki.

    The governors at the meeting included Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun,  Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Katsina State Governor Bello Masari.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Ekiti State Gov-Elect, Kayode Fayemi were also at the meeting.

    At the end of the meeting which lasted about 30 minutes, the Senate President declined to talk to State House correspondents on the agenda of the meeting.

    However, Kayode casually said they came to rejoice with the President over his election victory.

    Fayemi, who was displaying his Certificate of Return from the INEC, also jokingly said the Ekiti State election had gone and that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will also take over Osun State.

  • Buhari, Saraki, APC governors meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Saraki arrived the Presidential Villa at 4:18 p.m.

    The governors at the meeting were – Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina).

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Kayode Fayemi, were also at the meeting.

  • Saraki, Wike, Tambuwal, Ortom in defection talks

    It was meant to be a gathering to pray for a politician’s mother, but yesterday’s session in Ilorin was more than that.

    Politicians latched onto the prayer to smoothen defection talks between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC)—the conclave of aggrived APC members.

    The secret session was between PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus and some aggrieved APC bigwigs, led by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Also yesterday, former President Goodluck Jonathan held a meeting with former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in Minna.

    The two-hour meeting was described as “private”.

    Some APC governors, PDP governors and PDP leaders took advantage of the prayer for the repose of the soul of Alhaja Aishat Baraje, the mother of Kawu Baraje, a leader of the R-APC to fine tune the APC men’s defection plan.

    APC Deputy National Chairman Lawal Shuaibu (North) and Adeniyi Adebayo (South) attended the prayer but the governors and the PDP chiefs thereafter held a private session at the GRA Ilorin home of the Senate president.

    Saraki returned to Ilorin on Tuesday, received by a large crowd – obviously to make a political statement.

    At the session were Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Samuel Ortom(Benue) and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), who is also a presidential aspirant.

    Others are: Secondus, another presidential aspirant and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; Senator Barnabas Gemade; Baraje and Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly Ali Ahmad, among others.

    A source at the session, who spoke in confidence, said: “After the prayer session for Baraje’s mother, we felt it necessary to discuss mutual issues bordering on the talks between the PDP and R-APC.

    Our talks centred on how some APC and R-APC leaders will join forces in 2019 to change the status quo. It is certainly convenient for PDP at this bend to woo potential defectors who might add value to its electoral value in 2019.

    “All these leaders are heavyweights who PDP cannot gloss over. So, the meeting was to consolidate ongoing negotiation ahead of mass defections from APC to the main opposition party.”

    The source added: “Of course, you do not need a soothsayer to tell you that Saraki is the biggest fish that the PDP is after. He is also a rallying point of leaders in R-APC and the people of North-Central.”

    It was learnt that the PDP had agreed to hand over the structure of the party to  Saraki; sharing of party’s position  on 60-40  or 40-60  ratio; and the concession of  two Senate seats and the governorship slot  to Saraki’s camp and R-APC in Kwara.

    On Ortom and Gemade, the source said:  “The PDP has now opened talks with the Benue governor as part of steps to consolidate its grip on North-Central. We are targeting Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and the FCT.

    “Do you expect the PDP to fold its hands when the governor said he was done with APC and available to any party? The opposition party is wooing him, it is left for him to return to PDP if the terms are acceptable. If Ortom defects, the PDP can conveniently boast of  a likely control of four states in the geopolitical zone.

    One of the governors confirmed that “issues of common interest on 2019 came up for about one and a half hours.”

    “There were proposals here and there but you will know the details in the fullness of time.”

    PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said: “We only went to Ilorin to commiserate with Alhaji Kawu Baraje. He is a Nigerian and we are open to all Nigerians. We have the interest of every Nigerian at heart. We also went to Sokoto State to commiserate with the governor and the people of the state but you are not asking questions along this line.”

    Ologbondiyan also told our correspondent in Ilorin: “It is a brotherhood meeting. Our leaders met and they shared thoughts on the future of Nigeria and how to improve on the living condition of Nigerians and how to make Nigeria a better place for all to live in.

    “It was a convergence of notable Nigerians. Do not forget that the essence of today was to commensurate with Alhaji Baraje on the death of his mother.

    “When politicians meet, they must discuss politics and how to improve on the standard of living of Nigerians. It will not be wrong to say that some issues were discussed.”

    On Saraki’s planned return to PDP, he said: “I do not know when Saraki and Baraje will publicly declare their defection. I cannot speak on that.”

    Ortom, who also visited Ahmed, told reporters that the Benue State APC issued him a red card and he hoped that the national leadership could reverse the decision. He added that the national leadership is the larger body capable of upturning the decision of the state chapter.

    Wike said: “We came here to sympathise with Alhaji Abubakar Baraje over the death of his loving mother. We prayed for the family.

    “Baraje is a politician and you expect politicians to rally round him at this time that he lost his mother.”

    He added: “When you see your colleagues, you need to compare notes and do peer review on what you are doing in your respective states.

    “However, we came purposely to engage in the eight days prayers for the late mother of Abubakar Baraje “.

    Ahmed said he was yet to take a decision on his political future.

    In a statement by his spokesman Dr. Muideen Akorede, the governor said he remained in the APC. “The presence today in Ilorin of Senate President Bukola Saraki, PDP Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, Governor Samuel Ortom, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Nyesom Wike, ex-Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Senator Barnabas Gemade and other prominent political figures was for the burial rites of the late mother of respected politician, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and was not for the purpose of a political realignment.

    “While I have not been briefed on any planned defection, I am aware that my principal and other political leaders in the state are gradually being shown the way out of the APC.”

    But Secondus’ shuttle to Ilorin caught Kwara PDP leaders unawares. They could not receive him.

    State Chairman Chief Iyiola Oyedepo said: “Actually, the National Chairman and the National Organising Secretary spoke with me when they were in Sokoto about their trip to Ilorin.

    “They wanted me to meet them at the airport but I was out of town. They told me they were coming to commiserate with Baraje.”

    In Abuja, Senator Shehu Sani said: “I can confirm we are talking with the PDP and we are talking with the APC and what is pushing us out of the APC is inherent injustice, marginalisation and inequity that have visited us. We have been treated badly by the party in the last three years. But we appreciate the fact that we have a chairman, in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We are also exploring options of getting out of the party or remain in the party. So, the issue is still on discussion. Our decisions will be in a matter of weeks and not in the matter of months where we are going to review whether we will remain in the party or we will go to cross the red sea out of Egypt to the promised land.

    “It is very clear that we should vote for people, irrespective of their political affiliation, those who can deliver us out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. We should move away from that thinking that one political party can solve the problems of Nigeria.

    “The challenge is the crisis and the problems we face as a nation today cannot be addressed without a national consensus and without a collective approach to our national problems.

    “In a situation where we think the President has monopoly of wisdom and the solution to the problems, we are simply deceiving ourselves. President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot solve the problem of Nigeria. It is important for him to be honest and understand that. It is also important for the APC to understand that.”

    But  a chieftain of the APC in Kaduna, Alhaji Kailani Mohammed, said the 2019 presidential race would be a walkover for President Muhammadu Buhari despite the “gang-up against him”.

    He said greedy and selfish politicians were behind the killings in the North Central region.

    Mohammad, an ally of President Buhari, said selfish politicians were causing the insecurity to discredit Buhari’s administration.

    Mohammed, who was the Chairman “Buhari Votes Guard and Awareness”, said.

    “It is alleged that politicians sponsor thugs and hoodlums who are responsible for most community skirmishes and killings in the country that have sent many Nigerians to the great beyond.

    “In this direction, the police have invited President of the Senate Bukola Saraki over an allegation that he sponsored some political thugs that have been unleashing terror in Kwara State,” he said, adding that the revelation by the leader of the Middle Belt Peace Network, Jayeola Mohammed, that Senator Jonah Jang, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Plateau State Governor, once vowed to make Plateau ungovernable for Lalong is something that is worrisome.

    “Mohammed further claimed that Jang, who was recently arrested by the DSS over issues bordering on corruption and abuse of office, had sworn to extinguish the peace of Plateau State and enshrine anguish and despair by empowering youths in the area with weapons.

    “Security agencies should rise up to this challenge and ensure that those who kill daily to promote and protect their political hemisphere must be brought to book. It is quite disheartening that our politicians have turned themselves into security threats in the country. They use human lives as shield to promote their political ambitions.

    “Human lives should not be devalued by killings as part of political games. No matter how highly placed, offenders must be prosecuted and adequate justice be meted out to serve as deterrents to others of like minds.

    “No Nigerian is bigger than the law. It is time for government to wield the big sick against vicious politicians who daily foment trouble for the country and her peoples so that the rest of us smaller mortals will be secured from the high and mighty,

    “All these they are doing to discredit this government, but God and the masses of Nigeria are behind President Muhammadu Buhari. By God’s grace, 2019 presidential election will be a walk over for President Buhari, despite the gang up against him,” Mohammed said.

  • Ortom, Wike storm Ilorin for Baraje’s mother’s fidau

    … Meet Saraki

    Some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stormed Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday for the fidau prayer of late mother of former nPDP chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje.

    The governors on the trip were Samuel Ortom (Benue), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).

    Others dignitaries at the fidau prayer were the Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North), Lawan Shuaib and his South counterpart, Niyi Adebayo, Senators Barnabas Gemade and Shabba Lafiagi, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, representatives of the Emir of Ilorin, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and members of the Kwankwansiya in the state, among others.

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus and former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who were not at the fidau prayer joined the dignitaries in Ilorin.

    The governors, it was gathered later met with Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at his home in the Kwara state capital.

    The Spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said it was a meeting of like minds.

     

     

  • Defection: Don’t push me, says Saraki

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday  pleaded that he should not be pushed to comment on his alleged plan to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “As I said, don’t worry; don’t push me. I will call at a time and I will  tell Nigerians,” he told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Saraki also refused to comment on what he would do over pressure by some of his followers to lead them out of the APC.

    It was the first time Saraki would be visiting the state after the Supreme Court’s verdict.

    The Senate President said his three years’ trial on alleged false declaration of asset was tough.

    He, however, expressed satisfaction that his followers never doubted his innocence, as he had told them severally.

    Saraki said: “It’s been a long journey  for  all my people in the state, and today we thank the Almighty God for this. I want to thank all of them, who did not at any time waver. They believe in my innocence and supported me throughout those three very tough years and it was a great feeling for all of us.

    “It is my first homecoming to thank them for all the support they have given me and the victory and for the fact that the truth prevailed and justice was done.  Today is a day for me to visit, and more importantly, thank the people for the support they have given for years.

    “As I always say, time will come for everything; a time will come I will tell people where I am and  what I’m doing. For now, it is just to thank the people of the state because the last three years have been tough and they are still  committed and remain and I have to appreciate that. I appreciate that.”

     

     

  • My trial for false assets declaration tough – Saraki

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday described his three-year trial for alleged false declaration of asset as tough.

    Saraki, however, expressed satisfaction that his followers never doubted his innocence while the trial lasted.

    He refused to comment on his political plans despite pressure by some of his followers to lead them out of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The Senate president stated these during chat journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    He was visiting the state for the first time since the Supreme Court freed him of the false assets declaration charges.

    He urged journalists not to “worry or push” him on his next political move.

    He said: “As I said, don’t worry, don’t push me.   I will call at a time and tell Nigerians.

    “It has been a long journey for all my own people in the state and today we thank the Almighty God for this. I want to thank all of them who did not at any time lose hope. They believe in my innocence and supported me throughout those three very tough years and it was a great feeling for all of us.”

     

     

  • Nigerians don’t understand lawmakers’ duties, say Saraki, Dogara

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday attributed the poor understanding of the National Assembly’s functions to the abiding misconception of the role of the parliament by most Nigerians.

    Saraki also said that the work of the parliament to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance is also misjudged by some people.

    Dogara noted that “Contrary to some mischief makers’ views, legislative oversight and scrutiny is very critical to good governance as the legislature remains perhaps the only arm of government imbued with necessary constitutional powers to obtain information necessary to shine light on any form of abuse, inefficiencies or waste in governance.”

    “Many Nigerians do not quite understand the functions of the Parliament in carrying out its constitutionally assigned roles and responsibilities.”

    “The Parliament does its works through Legislation, Representation and Oversight.  Through Legislation, we make Laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country.  Through Representation, we advance the particular interests of the people of our constituencies and the interests of Nigerians generally, while through Oversight, we oversee or monitor the activities of the other Arms of Government.”

    They spoke at the maiden edition of National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.

    The week- long event marking the end of the third session of the National Assembly, will also witness exhibitions and tours.

    Saraki said: “It remains a concern that, because the legislature is the youngest arm of government in Nigeria, it is the most misunderstood.

    “This is largely due to an abiding misconception as to the role of the legislature and the work we are doing to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance. It is my expectation that this programme will go a long way towards helping to deepen the public understanding of the very real, indispensible work done by lawmakers, in line with our constitutional mandate.”

    Saraki noted that a clear evidence of the negative perception of the National Assembly is the lack of understanding of the budget process and the role of the National Assembly, which is seen, unfairly, as holding up the passing of the budget.

    Insisting that “nothing could be further from the truth” Saraki said “Civil society has a voice at the table, with regard to the budget; public hearing on the budget as part of the enactment process, has come to stay.”

  • Saraki, Ambode, Sani-Bello, Okorocha, Bello congratulate Ekiti, Fayemi

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger State) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  (Ondo State) yesterday congratulated the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Others were Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum Rochas Okorocha and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

     

    Saraki to Fayemi: use your second coming to continue people-centered policies

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the governor-elect should use his second coming to continue the people-centered policies and programmes of his first term.

    He urged him to also work to grow the state’s economy to leave behind a sustainable legacy.

    He said the victory was a sign that the people of Ekiti State still have confidence in the former minister’s ability to provide good governance and render efficient service to the state and its people.

     

    Ambode: victory is sign that APC electoral value has not waned

    Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, APC leadership, members and its supporters for the hard-fought victory.

    He added that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

    The governor praised and congratulated the governor-elect for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership for a second time.

    He also urged Fayemi to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the Southwest geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.

     

    Victory well deserved,

    says Sani-Bello

    Sani-Bello congratulated Fayemi on his victory and described the triumph as well deserved and demonstrated the people’s acceptance and confidence in the APC.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Sani-Bello expressed optimism that Fayemi’s  second coming as the governor would transform Ekiti State and bring it to an enviable level among its peers.

     

    Okorocha congratulates Fayemi, Tinubu, Oshiomhole

    Okorocha described Fayemi’s victory as a “convincing and resounding victory”.

    The governor also hailed the people of Ekiti State “for preferring truth to falsehood” by voting Fayemi in the Saturday’s election.

    Okorocha added that “with the election of the APC candidate, the Southwest has reminded those who might have forgotten that they were progressives to remain.

    He congratulated the APC leaders in the Southwest, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former APC interim National Chairman Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Oni and the APC governors in the geo-political zone for closing ranks to ensure victory for APC and Fayemi.

    The Imo State governor lauded APC National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the victory, stating that there was no doubt that “with Oshiomhole, all the lost grounds by APC will be regained”.

     

    It’s a pointer to what 2019 ‘ll bring, says Bello

    Bello said Fayemi’s victory was a victory for democracy and a sign that the people of Ekiti State were ready to join the fold of the progressives.

    The governor noted that under Buhari, elections continue to be free and fair, “a pointer to what 2019 will bring”.

    “In a democracy, the wishes and desires of majority trump over those of the minority  and only a true democrat like President Buhari would respect that time and time again,” he said.

    Congratulating the Ekiti people for making the right choice, he praised them for their peaceful conduct during the elections.

     

    Why APC candidate

    won, by Akeredolu

    Akeredolu, in a statement by  Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation,  Yemi Olowolabi,  attributed Fayemi’s victory to ” sterling record in public service, tenacity of purpose, exemplary values, stupendous goodwill and abiding  grace of God”.

    He welcomed  the governor-elect to a familiar terrain, where he “will quickly consolidate on his legacy of good governance, which hallmarked his first tenure as the Ekiti State Governor “.

    Acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead of the new helmsman, Akeredolu is optimistic that Fayemi’s rich experience,  far-reaching contacts, resourcefulness and robust intellectual capacity  would undoubtedly help his iron cast resolve to restore hope in Ekiti State”.

    Akeredolu also extended courtesies to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, whose party’s candidate,  Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, was defeated in the Saturday July 14 governorship election.

     

     

     

  • APC chieftain to Saraki: declare your stand now

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Yekini Nabena, yesterday challenged Senate President Bukola Saraki  to take a position on the ongoing political realignments in the country.

    Nabena, who is also the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, accused Saraki of playing the role of a double agent in the party.

    Nabena told Saraki that he was  free to associate with whoever he chose within the rules of the game instead of trying to destroy APC.

    He said the senate president betrayed the trust of the party by sponsoring rebellion within it.

    Nabena said Saraki learnt nothing from his original betrayal of APC in 2015, when he emerged senate president against the wishes of the party and through manipulative processes that denied the party its right to produce the Deputy Senate president.

    He said: “In recent times, there have been attempts to discredit the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Government it controls by a roguish alliance of forces within and outside the party.

    “The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has loomed large in this scheme. Saraki has never hidden his sympathy for those who have launched a vicious attack on the APC, a party that gave both him and the nascent mudslingers the platform on which they ply their political careers.

    “The APC is not averse to dissenting positions. But we reject deceit in every shade or form. Saraki must declare now where he belongs, whether he is for APC or other political interests. He cannot serve God and mammon. He cannot play hide-and-seek. He cannot hide behind his fingers.”

    Nabena said the party was aware that a number of Saraki’s aides and close allies left APC for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “For example, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has returned to his former home in PDP; Saraki’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed has withdrawn his membership from APC.

    “We are also not unaware of the fact that Saraki is the brawn and the brains of the so-called Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC).

    “The senate president’s current activities are a betrayal of his position at the last national convention of APC, where he urged the new leadership of the party to carry everyone along in the effort to improve the party and enhance its chances ahead of the impending political contests in the country.

    “When he made those comments, we had thought he was sincere and that he would follow through his counsel. But, alas, we were wrong.

    “It is clear that Saraki has not learnt any lessons from his initial betrayal of APC in 2015, when he traded off the party’s right to produce the deputy senate president for his selfish ambition of becoming the senate president.

    “APC is a democratic institution and Saraki is free to make choices in accordance with the laws of the country. But he cannot continue to take members of APC for a ride.

    “Politics is based on trust. Saraki has betrayed the trust reposed on him by the party. If he wants to leave APC, let him leave peacefully, and not try to destroy a house that gave him accommodation when he needed it most. His current attitude can only be the action of a traitor or a double agent.”

  • Saraki mourns Kawu Baraje’s mum

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has condoled with Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, and the entire Baraje’s family, on the death of their mother, Hajiya Aisha Omoagba Baraje.

    A statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the deceased raised a family that has produced one of Nigeria’s finest patriots and committed professionals.

    It reads: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje on the loss of their mother, Hajiya Aisha Omoagba Baraje.

    “The deceased lived a fulfilled life as a wife and mother, which is evident in that she helped to raise one of Nigeria’s finest patriots and statesmen. She will be dearly missed.

    “We pray God, who granted her a long and prosperous life, to bless, guide and continue to protect the family she left behind, and grant her a place in Al Jannah.”