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Tag: Saraki

  • Why senators oppose Buhari’s $1b security fund – Saraki

    Senate President  Bukola Saraki said  yesterday that lack of due engagement with the National Assembly  may force  the majority of senators to oppose President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval to withdraw $1 billion to fund purchase of security equipment.

    He blamed unending executive/legislature friction on lack of consultation and collaboration between the two arms.

    He said that some senators have already expressed their disappointment to him on Buhari’s approval of such a huge amount of money without recourse to the National Assembly.

    But he did not say whether the upper chamber will automatically block the use of the fund for what Buhari intends.

    Saraki spoke in Jos, Plateau State at a retreat on “Strengthening Executive-Legislature Relations”.

    It is expected that President Buhari’s approval of $1 billion for purchase of security equipment would be one of the topical issues for debate when the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday.

    The Senate President who insisted that Nigerians must be prepared to defend and protect the institution of the parliament, noted that government was all about institutions and not individuals.

    He said that the number of blackmails some of them have received for doing the right thing was simply alarming.

    He said that it is obvious that the National Assembly is constantly under attack by individuals who abhor the principle of separation of powers as enshrined by democratic doctrine.

    Saraki insisted that protection of the institution of the parliament was the only way sustainable democracy could be guaranteed in the country “because without the legislature there will be no democracy.”

    He also stressed the need to always do the appropriate thing at the appropriate time for things to work in the country.

    Saraki said: “There is no way the security architecture of this country can work without a strong synergy between the executive and the legislature. When you see certain agencies who by their actions and utterances frustrate the relationship between the two arms, you begin to wonder what is going on.

    “What do we need to do? Do the police need more funding or more powers? Do they need new legislations to strengthen them? These are the issues where the executive and the legislature must work together. What do we need to do?

    “In a good environment, such an issue needed to have been discussed with lawmakers. Already, some senators are angry. They said they were not consulted by the executive before such a decision was taken. These are the issues we are talking about. Some people have already taken position because they were not consulted. That is why I stressed the issue of collaboration between the two arms. The issue of engagement is important.”

    The Senate President who said that friction between the two arms of government goes beyond party affiliations, noted that “even during the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the executive and legislature, had some frictions.”

    According to him, “It means it is not about the party. It is not about any individual. It is about the system.”

    Saraki said that it seems officials of the executive arm have formed the habit of always blackmailing senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    His words: “In a situation where a particular arm of government stands up and calls people from another arm of government thieves, looters and other names, how can we work together? How? It is not possible. It is not realistic. If we collaborate, the country will be better for it.”

    He also wondered how President Buhari could write the National Assembly to endorse N4.6 trillion capital market bond without first discussing the issue with the leadership of both chambers.

    He said:”Imagine the federal government wants to raise a N4.6 trillion bond from the capital market. The leadership of the National Assembly first heard about it through a letter written by the President. This is what happens.

    “I needed to be here to speak on these issues. It is not just about today. Posterity will be here to judge us that what I am saying is true. If we do not change the way we behave, we will remain like this for many years to come.”

    Also on how heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are allegedly frustrating the passage of the 2018 budget, the Senate President said that the executive arm should be held responsible.

    “If you want to strengthen democracy, the priority of everybody should be to strengthen the legislature. If you do not defend the legislature, there is no way our democracy will be strengthened because government is not built on individuals. It is built on institutions.

    “That is why in developed countries, governments can change, but it does not affect the stability of their democracy because their institutions are strong. We decided to run a presidential system of government. By its nature of checks and balances, there is bound to be frictions. The question now, how healthy is that friction?

    “If you take the 2018 budget for example, even before people had bothered to find out where the cause of the delay is coming from, people were already attacking and blaming the legislature.

    “When I led the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives to see Mr. President, he came to the meeting briefed as if the delay was that of the National Assembly. He was humble enough at the end of the discussion to render an apology.”

  • 2019: God will punish Saraki if he refuse to contest for President – Cleric

    Lagos-based seer, Prophet Elijah Ayodele, has appealed to Senate President Bukola Saraki to join the presidential race for the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    He warned there would be dire consequences should the former Kwara Governor refuse to make himself available for the presidential contest.

    Ayodele, who is founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, spoke last week during the dedication of an ultra-modern auditorium in Isheri-Olofin Lagos.

    He said: “God wants to use Saraki for something big in this country. He wants to use him to fix so many things. So he has to come out and join the race.”

    Should the Senate President refuses to join the race, Ayodele said there would be dire consequences for him.

    “God will punish him if he refuses to join because anyone that disobeys Him will suffer for it,” he stressed.

    On the dedication of Emi Ni Aseyori Kan Pro Cathedral, a.k.a. Sope Parish, Ayodele said it was in fulfillment of God’s vision and faithfulness to the church.

    “God is the one doing things for us. If you look at what He does for us, you will know only Him could have done it,” he affirmed.

    All Progressive Congress (APC) South West Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson, cut the tape to dedicate the church.

    She congratulated members of the church for the feat, urging them not to relent in spreading the gospel of Christ.

  • Saraki faults Lai Mohammed on tagging of Senators as looters

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has expressed  concern over the release of names of senators tagged as looters by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed.

    Saraki who spoke in Jos, Plateau State on Saturday a at retreat on “Strengthening Executive-Legislature Relations” said it was wrong for an arm of government to call members of the other arm looters.

    “In a situation where a particular arm of government stands up and calls people from another arm of government thieves, looters and other names, how can we work together? How?

    “It is not possible. It is not realistic. If we collaborate, the country will be better for it,” Saraki stated.

    He also wondered how President Buhari could write the National Assembly to endorse N4.6 trillion capital market bond without first discussing the issue with the leadership of both chambers.

     “Imagine the Federal Government wants to raise a N4.6 trillion bond from the capital market. The leadership of the National Assembly first heard about it through a letter written by the President. This is what happens.

    “I needed to be here to speak on these issues. It is not just about today. Posterity will be here to judge us that what I am saying is true. If we do not change the way we behave, we will remain like this for many years to come.”

    Also on how heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are allegedly frustrating the passage of the 2018 budget, the Senate President said that the executive arm should be held responsible.

     “If you want to strengthen democracy, the priority of everybody should be to strengthen the legislature. If you do not defend the legislature, there is no way our democracy will be strengthened because government is not built on individuals. It is built on institutions.

    “That is why in developed countries, governments can change, but it does not affect the stability of their democracy because their institutions are strong. We decided to run a presidential system of government. By its nature of checks and balances, there is bound to be frictions. The question now, how healthy is that friction?

    “If you take the 2018 budget for example, even before people had bothered to find out where the cause of the delay is coming from, people were already attacking and blaming the legislature.

    “When I led the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives to see Mr. President, he came to the meeting briefed as if the delay was that of the National Assembly. He was humble enough at the end of the discussion to render an apology.”

    On confirmation of nominees, Saraki said that the executive must realize that the legislature has the constitutional duty to confirm, while nomination lies with the executive.

    He said that no attempt must be made to weaken the legislature in the interest of sustenance of democracy in the country.

  • Buhari, Saraki, Masari, others mourn as Katsina Senator Bukar dies at 63

    THE body of Katsina North Senator Mustapha Bukar, who died in Abuja earlier yesterday, has been buried in his hometown Daura, Katsina State.

    The burial, which took place at about 6.14pm yesterday, was witnessed by Governor Aminu Masari, who described Bukar’s death as an “act of God”.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President Bukola Saraki and many personalities yesterday mourned Bukar, who died at 63, in a private hospital in Abuja.

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan, Senators Aliyu Wammako, Abu Ibrahim and Umar Kurfi, also witnessed the burial.

    Other dignitaries at the burial were Deputy Governor Manir Yakubu, Speaker Abubakar Kusada and House members Sain Katsina and Alhaji Ahmadu Nafuntuwa

    Emir of Katsina Alhaji Abdul Mumuni Kabir was represented by Sain Katsina, Alhaji Ahmadu Nafuntuwa.

    The funeral prayer was performed by the Chief Imam of Daura, Malam Salisu Rabe, at the Emir’s palace

    Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Bukar.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described his death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession”.

    Buhari also sent condolences to the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, who distinguished himself as an engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.

    The President noted that as a young engineer, the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina, working variously as a General Manager of the Water Board,  Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    The President prayed that Allah will bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki described the death of Bukar as one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Senator Ali Wakili.

    “I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Senator Mustapha Bukar. When I and some of my colleagues visited Senator Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities.

    “As a first-time lawmaker, Senator Bukar stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature. We shall sorely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also expressed grief over the death of the senator.

    Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, described the incident as a heavy blow to the Senate and the entire nation.

    He said: “Distinguished Senator Mustapha’s exit is a grave loss and big blow not only to the Senate and the National Assembly, but to the entire nation.

    “He was a fine gentleman, quite humane, diligent, perceptive and humble. He was a pan-Nigerian and a pro-masses lawmaker, who showed great interest in finding lasting solution to the nation’s perennial energy problem. He will be sorely missed.”

  • Saraki hails Senate for passing 201 Bills

    •Senators go on recess 

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki has hailed his colleagues in the 8th Senate for their support and hard work  that allowed the Upper Legislative Chamber to reach the milestone of passing 201st Bill yesterday.

    In a tweet on his personal handle (@Bukolasaraki), the Senate President said: “As of today, the Senate has passed 201 Bills. We still have 15 months to go, yet, we have reached this milestone. I would like to thank my distinguished colleagues for their hard work and cooperation over the last 33 months.”

    The 5th Senate (2003 to 2007) passed 129 Bills in all; the 6th Senate (2007 to 2011) passed 72 Bills and the 7th Senate (2011 to 2015) had a total of 129 Bills.

    The Senate yesterday gone on recess till April 10 because of Easter celebration.

    A motion for the holiday was moved by Leader Bala Na’Allah.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu urged his colleagues not to relent in praying for the nation.

    “This is an opportunity for me to wish all of you and everyone a happy Easter and please let’s use the remaining period of the Lent to pray for our country for God to intervene in our lives and ensure that all these killings will stop and our economy would pick up and we will continue to leave in unity and there would be progress all round.

    “We believe that God would hear our prayers this period and wish everyone a happy Easter and look forward to seeing you again on April 10,” he said.

     

  • Okupe to Sagay: reveal pay of Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, others

    PRESIDENTIAL Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC) Chairman Prof. Itse Sagay has been urged to include the salaries and allowances of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whenever he carries out his threat to reveal the running cost of National Assembly’s members.

    Former presidential spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe, who challenged the PACAC chair to unveil the details of the lawmakers’ pay within 24 hours, said such revelation should be extended to ministers, special advisers to the President and other top government functionaries, including himself.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Okupe said any further delay in carrying out the threat would adversely affect Sagay’s credibility.

    The statement reads: “I find the threat by Prof. Sagay on allowances and running cost of the leadership of the National Assembly very interesting. It will aid our fight for transparency in public affairs.

    “However, he should not be selective. For us to take him seriously, he should include the details of the running costs of the Office of the President, Vice President, ministers, special advisers, heads of government agencies, parastatals and even himself.”

    The one-time presidential spokesman said since salaries, allowances and running costs come from the same public coffers, laying the cards bare on the table for all to see will benefit the system.

    He advised the professor of Law to always weigh the possible consequences of his utterances in order not to heat up the polity, especially “at a volatile and tensed period as we have now in the country”.

    Okupe challenged the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to list PACAC’s achievements for the public to see.

    He urged the committee to reverse the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rating recently released by Transparency International (TI).

    “Sagay should sit down with members of his committee to work seriously in developing position papers and policies that will actually help the anti-corruption war and make it more effective,” Okupe advised.

     

  • APC moves to reconcile Buhari, Saraki, others

    President ‘yet to make any deal’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have launched a peace move to change the frosty relationship between the Executive and the National Assembly.

    Lawmakers are threatening to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on the Electoral Act amendment, especially the reordering of the sequence of the 2019 elections.

    In a joint statement at the weekend, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara vowed to be “on the same page on what is an appropriate reaction to the President’s withholding of assent on the Electoral Act amendment bill”.

    It was learnt that party Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman Abdulaziz Yari and other leaders of the party had intervened through meetings with Presidency officials and National Assembly’s leaders.

    The party is said to be seeking a meeting point for the two arms of government to resolve the feud.

    Other senior members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have also met with the leaders of the National Assembly “to seek their understanding”.

    “Yari has held four sessions with the Senate President. This is to underscore the fact that the party leadership and other national leaders of the party have intervened,” a party leader said.

    A ranking senator, who pleaded to be anonymous, said: “The party leaders and national leaders have been going forth and back to bring the two arms to the same table for talks. All the shuttles by these leaders actually laid the foundation for Thursday’s session with the President by the National Assembly leaders.

    “Apart from the budget and security matters, the President skipped many contentious issues, including the disagreement over amendments to the Electoral Act, especially Order of 2019 Elections.

    “So far, the Assembly leaders have made some demands, but the President is yet to give anything in return. No appreciable concessions.

    “Democracy is about give and take, but we are yet to get concrete commitments from the President, apart from the directive to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit budget details.”

    It was learnt that a lot of behind-the-scene shuttles took place between the National Assembly and party leaders and governors in the last one week.

    National Publicity Secretary of APC Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed the intervention of the party’s leadership in the disagreement. He said the party was hopeful of the resolution of the face-off.

    “The party is doing its best to ensure that there is a meeting point between the two arms. We are working on how to resolve the issues in question.

    “While the Legislature has a constitutional duty to make laws, the Executive also has the right to express its feelings on any law. All we need to do is to facilitate mutual dialogue and resolution of areas of disagreement.”

    Some of the issues between the Presidency and the National Assembly are:

    • refusal by the National Assembly to keep to agreement on early passage of 2018 Budget;
    • non-submission of 2018 budget details by some MDAs;
    • non-clearance of more than 50 nominees presented to the Assembly by the Executive;
    • alleged deliberate frustration of the administration of the President by the lawmakers;
    • stoppage of alleged hounding of Saraki and other National Assembly members by anti-graft agencies ;
    • compliance with the resolutions/ decisions/ summons of the National Assembly by the Executive; and
    • dropping of the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman .

  • Saraki, Dogara vow ‘same, appropriate’ response over Buhari’s veto of electoral bill

    Nigerians should expect a unanimous and appropriate response from the National Assembly to President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent rejection of the proposed re-ordering of elections in the country, Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said yesterday.

    Leaders of the two chambers, according to them, “are in agreement on what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why it must be done.”

    The pair spoke yesterday in reaction to suggestions of a split in their rank over the matter.

    They dismissed as  unfounded and misleading insinuations that they were in disagreement  over the Electoral Act amendment 2018 which Buhari declined to assent to partly on the ground that it threatens  the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to  “organise, undertake and supervise elections.”

    The Senate and the House of Representatives want election into the national assembly first with the presidential poll coming last.

    Buhari invited the leadership of the two chambers  for a meeting of Thursday but the president was said to have skipped the issue although behind the scene talks are said to be going on between the two sides to resolve the matter.

    Saraki, Dogara, House of Reps Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf, Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan and House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila were at the meeting.

    The amendment is already generating a lot of insinuations and discussions across the country.

    Saraki addressing one of such insinuations said he and Dogara are on the same page on how to handle President Buhari’s veto of the proposed sequence of elections.

    The Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu in a statement yesterday said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports insinuating that there was a disagreement between Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, over how both chambers of the National Assembly will react to the withholding of assent by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

    “We wish to inform the public that there is no such disagreement between the two leaders, and indeed the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    “The Senate President and the Speaker, as heads of the two chambers of the National Assembly and representing the views of their colleagues, will want everybody to know that they are on the same page on what is the appropriate reaction to the President’s withholding of assent on the Electoral Act amendment bill.

    “There is no disagreement between the two chambers as well as their presiding officers. The leadership of the two chambers constantly hold discussions and are in agreement on what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why it must be done.

    “The issue at stake is not personal. It is about deepening democracy. It is about improving our democracy and the National Assembly is on firm constitutional and legal grounds to amend the law as well as take decisions in the manner they have been responding.

    “We see that story and the insinuations contained in it as mere distraction and unnecessary misrepresentation aimed at creating division in the Federal Legislature. The Senate President, Speaker and their colleagues urge members of the public to discountenance the report.”

    There are strong indications that National Assembly members have made up their minds to override Buhari’s veto.

    Sources said that after accepting legal advice which dismissed President Buhari’s basis for withholding assent to the bill, Saraki and Dogara are poised to mobilise federal lawmakers to override the president’s veto this week.

    “The leadership of the two chambers are determined to push forward to actualize the amendment not minding overtures from certain quarters,” one source informed The Nation yesterday.

    The National Assembly Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill on February 6 adopted the reordering of the sequence of elections approved by the House of Representatives.

    Both chambers of the National Assembly subsequently adopted the decision which was then forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

    He declined and in a letter to the National Assembly last week, explained why he could not assent to the amendment.

    The Senate at Thursday’s sitting expressed shock at the president’s action and threatened to override his veto.

    Besides, senators took exception to a court ruling stopping the NASS from overriding the President’s veto.

    They decided to formally protest to the Chief Justice of as part of the effort to resolve the impasse.

     

  • Buhari skips order of elections in talks with Saraki, Dogara

    There were indications last night that the order of the 2019 general election was not one of the issues President Muhammadu Buhari discussed with the Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other leaders of the National Assembly at a meeting they held on Thursday night.

    A principal officer of the National Assembly at the meeting told our correspondent yesterday that “the matter was never discussed.”

    Rather, the source said, the Presidency and the leadership of the National Assembly are engaged in behind-the-scene talks on the row over the order of the elections.

    Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that efforts were on to resolve the crisis concerning the alterations amicably.

    Out of three issues raised by the President, the contentious one is the new Section 25(1) which says that the elections shall be held in the following order: (a) National Assembly elections; (b) State Houses of Assembly and Governorship elections and (c) Presidential election.

    President Muhammadu Buhari was also said to have bowed to National Assembly’s demand by directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit budget details to the lawmakers.

    It was learnt that based on the presidential directive, the National Assembly has promised Buhari “expeditious passage” of the 2018 Budget into law.

    The President was said to have briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on all the steps he has taken to address the security challenges facing the nation.

    The principal officer of the National Assembly, who spoke in confidence, said: “We did not discuss the amendment to the Electoral Act, especially the order of elections, with the President.

    “But I can tell you that there are behind-the-scene talks between the Presidency and the National Assembly on how to resolve our differences on the alterations amicably.

    “Lobbying, exchanging ideas on motions, bills and amendments to any Act are parts of democracy.

    “Some of our colleagues believe the National Assembly can expunge two out of the three alterations objected to by the President.

    “But a few others had been asking the National Assembly to override the President’s veto on the bill.

    “We are engaging in behind-the-scene talks to compare notes. If these attempts fail, the two parties will allow the law to take its course.”

    The National Assembly Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill on February 6 adopted the reordering of the sequence  of elections approved by the House of Representatives.

    Both chambers of the National Assembly subsequently adopted the decision which was then forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

    The President, however, declined assent, explaining in  a letter to the  National Assembly that his action was motivated in part by the threat posed to the independence of the commission to  “organise, undertake and supervise elections.”

    On the more than 50 outstanding nominations yet to be considered by the National Assembly, the source added: “The Senate gave exemption to those nominated to the board of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), but the National Assembly members believe we need to deal with this matter once and for all.

    “We are already considering the fact that we should have a holistic approach to the pending nominations.

    “We are working hard on this, but again, it was not discussed at the meeting with the President.”

    The source, however, explained that the 2018 Budget and security challenges in the country were the main issues at the Thursday session.

    The source added: “Everybody was concerned about the budget. We promised the President that we can pass the budget as quickly as possible if the MDAs provide the required details.

    “If these MDAs comply with our demand, we will pass the budget expeditiously.

    “I think not quite long, the budget will be passed.

    “The President gave a commitment, and from what we have seen on Friday, he has given directive to all MDAs through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

    Mustapha told newsmen as follows: “Mr. President has given instructions that all ministries and parastatals should ensure that they appear before the National Assembly to defend their submissions so that we can get this out of the way.

    “This is a very dynamic year. There are preparations for elections and we are having quite a number of security challenges.

    “And so, if we do not appropriate, where will the money come from to be able to prosecute some of the assignments the Federal Government has in the appropriation of 2018?

    “So, this is a very good meeting; we intend to build on it. It is a confidence-building mechanism, and it is an interface that would definitely get a new dimension of the governance of this country for the betterment of the people of Nigeria.”

    Meanwhile, the President has laid the cards on the table for the National Assembly leaders on how he has been addressing security challenges in the country.

    Another source at the session said: “The President raised security concerns and what he has been doing. We agreed with him that he has been trying and we are prepared to support him.

    “Although we expressed worries over many killings across the country, we are in tandem with Mr. President on the approach to it.

    “So, we are on the same page with the President on how to tackle the security challenges.

    “We will make our legislative contributions and interventions.

    “It is Not Yet Uhuru, but we have pledged to support Mr. President to address the challenges.”

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu congratulate Eboe-Osuji on election as ICC president

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Monday congratulated Mr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, a Nigerian judge, on his election as the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    This is the first time a Nigerian would be elected president of ICC.

    Saraki, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Monday described the appointment of Eboe-Osuji as a development positive for Nigeria.

    He noted that the emergence of Eboe-Osuji during the 10th session of the Assembly of State Parties of the ICC, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, was a testimony that Nigeria and Nigerians had what it takes to continue to provide leadership at both local and global arena.

    While wishing the eminent jurist a successful tenure, Saraki said he was sure that the judge would work to justify the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues who voted to elevate him to the position.

    “No doubt, the Presidency of the ICC represents a huge responsibility. It is my hope that Eboe-Osuji will help lead the Court to new levels of successes in the next three years,” Saraki said.

    Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said the election of Eboe-Osuji as the president of the ICC was an honour for Nigeria and the entire Africa.

    Ekweremadu, in a Statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said Eboe-Osuji’s emergence as president of the Court did not come as a surprise, given the jurist’s pedigree and wealth of experience.

    I congratulate you most warmly on this well- deserved honour done to you and indeed Nigeria and Africa as a “whole.”

    “Your emergence is indeed a boost to the determination of the ICC and the global community to end genocides, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression as well as help the victims to find justice.

    “You were well prepared for the elevation and onerous task by your sound education and experience.

    “You distinguished yourself both as a prosecution counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and also as a senior legal officer to the Tribunal’s judges.

    “You also excelled in your service at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Legal Advisor to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in addition to the high profile cases you have been involved with since assuming office as a judge of the Court in 2012,” Ekweremadu added.

    NAN