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Saraki and PDP’s endless battle in Kwara

There seems to be no let up in the no-love lost relationship between Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, reports Dare Odufowokan

In spite of the enviable political rapport currently existing between Senate President Bukola Saraki and the national leadership, as well as the national assembly caucuses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Kwara State chapter of the party appears unwilling to let go its determination to unsettle the Senate President and his political camp at home at home.

Following his controversial emergence as the helmsman of the national assembly against the wishes of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while enjoying strong support from opposition PDP senators, Saraki has enjoyed a very warm relationship with his former party at the national level so much so that not a few political observers have said the senate is being controlled by the opposition legislators.

Saraki, who had dumped the PDP for the APC in the run up to the last general election, had rode on the back of his former party to emerge as the Senate President amidst opposition to his ambition by the leadership of his own party. In the process, it was alleged, he conceded the deputy Senate Presidency to the PDP, paving way for the return of Senator Ike Ekweremadu to the position.

The PDP became very protective of the Senate President after his emergence and had on many occasions, rose to his defense in an unusual show of solidarity for a man who played a vital role in the political humiliation of the former ruling party and its candidates across the country in the last presidential election.

For example, barely 24 hours after the Kwara State chapter of the party claimed that it was the petition it (Kwara PDP) sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier in the year, that led to the invitation of the Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, by the anti-graft agency, the national headquarters of the party directed it’s Kwara State chapter to disclaim it’s statement and disassociate itself from the former First Lady’s travails.

To the shock of many Nigerians, the state chapter wasted not time in carrying out the directive by promptly denying the statement.

The PDP Publicity Secretary of the party in Kwara, Mr. Rex Olawoye issued the disclaimer on behalf of the party in Saraki’s home state. He described the earlier statement credited to him as baseless and plans of desperate and dubious individuals aimed at tarnishing the party image. The Party spokesperson explained that the party never written any petition to EFCC against Toyin saraki.

“Nobody was left in doubt that the PDP in Kwara was browbeaten into issuing the denial back then. That was not the first time the party would be claiming it has petitioned against the Saraki political family. And the queer denial is notwithstanding the fact that the first statement was sent through the usual channel Olawoye had used in sending previous statements which he has never denied,” , Comrade AbdulRaman Hassan, Kwara State Co-ordinator of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), told The Nation.

On another occasion, when Saraki, upon the commencement of his ongoing trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), he was escorted to the Tribunal by numerous PDP senators, further confirming insinuations that he is now in the good book of erstwhile political enemies like former Senate Presdient David Mark, former Governors Godswill Akpabio and Jonah Jang, amongst others.

Not same back home

But the new found love between Saraki and the PDP at the national level appears not to have permeated the politics of Kwara state as the political rivalry that engulfed the state following the defection of the Senate President and his entire political camp, from the PDP to the APC, is not in any way abating. Rather, the PDP in Kwara is determined to weaken the support base of Saraki and his allies.

According to sources within the state, many of the chieftains of the PDP in Kwara are uncomfortable with the current political alliance between Saraki and the national leadership as well as the Senate caucus of their party. Consequently, they see no reason why the Senate President and his allies, including Governor Abdul Fatai Ahmed, should be given any political respite.

“The support being enjoyed by Saraki from the PDP is only at the Senate and perhaps from the national leadership of the party. Here in Kwara, the APC and the PDP are still very much at each other’s jugular. Many of the PDP leaders in the state have vowed not to have anything to do with Saraki and his people.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody following the fierce political contest we witnessed between the two camps before and during the last general election in the state. Many of the PDP chieftains are still rueing what they termed as the severe act of betrayal on the part of the Senate President when he abandoned them in the party and moved over to the APC.

Not a few are claiming that he didn’t discuss his plan to dump the PDP with them before jumping ship. Many others say he kept telling them he had no plan to defect, only to do so suddenly. It is for these reasons that any talk of a truce is not attractive to these erstwhile allies of the Senate President.

You must also not forget that a good number of the former ACN chieftains he displaced from the APC, led by Dele Belgore, his arc rival, are now strong leaders in the PDP here in Kwara. With such a concerted opposition against him gathered in the Kwara State chapter of the PDP, it is left to be seen how the goodwill he enjoys from the party at the national and senate level will rub off on him here in Ilorin,” Hassan said.

Fresh rumpus over bailout

Perhaps in continuation of its political battle on the strongholds of the Saraki camp, sources say the opposition in the state has concluded plans to make the state government account for how much it got from the federation account as bail out funds. It was gathered that following allegations and counter allegations between the state government and the opposition PDP over how the funds were spent, the party is determined to go all the way over the matter.

In a statement, the state chapter of the PDP said it was shocked by the alleged diversion. The party even fingered Saraki in the matter while describing the state government’s actions as thoughtless, and a total negation of the reasons behind the release of the funds.

“It is even more curious that the Kwara State Government has kept mute on the exact amount it got from the Consolidated Revenue Account as bailout. Whereas, virtually all states of the federation, particularly Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Kastina and Kaduna states had publicly declared how much they got as bailout from the Federal Government,” the PDP said.

“In Kwara, the bail out funds are shrouded in too much of secrecy. The people are not being told the truth. All we hear are various figure and appellations. There was a time we heard of N2billion NLNG fund, later it was N3billion bail out and now we are hearing of N5billion Local government bail out approved by the House of Assembly. The government need to come out and explain what it got and how it is being spent. We are determined to play our role as an opposition party for the good of the people of Kwara.

And let me make it clear that there is not alliance between PDP and APC in Kwara state. When people cite examples of some things happening in Abuja, I tell them that is in Abuja and not Ilorin. Here in Kwara, the people are tired of this one man show and no PDP leader or member is willing to be bought over,” our source, a chieftain of the PDP, explained.

This is not the first time the PDP will be raising alarm over the bail out fund. Weeks ago, it pointedly accused the Senate President and other allies of his of plotting to share the fund.

“The APC-led government of Kwara State has kept silent over the funds, thereby confirming the rumor making the rounds that the sudden homecoming of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on the day the funds was disbursed to Kwara State was with a bid to partake in the illegal sharing of the bailout funds”PDP had said in a statement back then.

But the Governor of the state debunked allegations of any diversion of the fund. On the issue of alerting the public about how much was received, Ahmed said government officials informed officials of the state chapters of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) during meetings held to update them on the funds received and how they will be utilised, adding that the information was also in the public domain.

The government also said it has not collected any bail out fund for the payment of arrears of salaries of staff of Local Government and the Teachers of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from the Federal Government. It said rather, the N4.32bn loan it secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria bail out fund was meant to off set the arrears of salaries of May and August Salaries of core civil servants in the State.

The Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Finance, Mr. Benjamin Fatigun made this clarification in Ilorin while appearing before the House of Assembly committee on Finance and appropriation, who was directed by the House to request for details of the bail out since the inception of the current administration in the State

He explained that though the State House of Assembly had given approval to the State Government to access the bail out fund from the Federal Government to clear the outstanding salary arrears of workers of Local Government Councils and SUBEB, the CBN he said up till this week had not released the N5bn bail out fund.

He said the State Governor had to resort into accessing a bank loan of N5.017bn last month from a commercial Bank to pay LGA staff and primary school teachers pending when the bail out fund would be released by the CBN to alleviate the suffering of the affected workers especially during the sallah festival.

Fatigun attributed the delay in the payment of September salary to some category of workers in the State to non release of the bail out fund and disclosed that the State Government had set up a Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government to look into how to address the problem of salary arrears.

The government had also refuted reports making rounds that the Senate President, Saraki was paid N1 billion from the bail out funds received from the Federal government. Governor Ahmed in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, described as false, malicious and unfounded, claims that Saraki pocketed part of the bailout fund given to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The Senate President neither received any kobo out of the money which was fully used to pay the two-month salary arrears owed state civil servants in August, 2015 nor any other money from the state government,” Ahmed said. The governor stated that Saraki was fully preoccupied with the onerous task of lawmaking and providing leadership at the National Assembly.

He added that Saraki had no time to either interfere with or control the state’s finances which he said were under the jurisdiction of the state government and its authorised officials.

October 25, 2015
Why Saraki must quit now, by group

A Civil society organisation, Value and Integrity Group, has renewed its call for Senate President Bukola Saraki to step down.

The pressure group, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said the questions over Saraki’s integrity caused by the accusations that have trailed his political career, have made him unsuitable to remain in office. It therefore called on Nigerians of good conscience to rise and defend the nation’s integrity, its democratic process and the credibility of its institutions.

The group said of the three leaders of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government, only the legislature had become tainted by the allegations against Dr. Saraki.

“It is mind-boggling, however, that of these three key individuals, Dr. Bukola Saraki is the only one with a cloud over his personal integrity, given the accusations that have trailed his corporate and political career,” the statement said.

October 23, 2015
Saraki and anti-Amaechi cabal

In this piece, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Delta State, examines rthe power game surrounding the ongoing screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees by the Senate, saying Senate President Bukola saraki and his supporters in the upper legislative chamber are determined to have their way.

The 8th Senate began with serious controversy for which Senator Bukola Saraki emerged as the President of the distinguished Senate. It was glaring to the nation that the 8th Senate will be full of surprises and with signs of vindictive radicalism, politically.

To my mind, there seem to be a mega political force against the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu which may have prompted the setbacks suffered by his key loyalists at the Senate and House of Representatives while the struggle for key positions in the two Chambers lasted.

It is a truism that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi is also one of Asiwaju’s key political associates. Therefore, it will be safe to assert that the AmaechiGate is a double edge sword. First, for the roles he played to dislodge PDP from national government and two, for being a close buddy of the APC National Leader.

I am particularly pained that the 8th Senate is hitting back at those who spent time and huge financial resources to stabilize our democracy and assisted in several ways to stop the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) misrule which is now reflected in the retrogressive socioeconomic status of our nation.

Corruption also bedeviled the PDP 16 years of mismanagement of valuable resources and looting of our commonwealth for which the likes of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Deziani Allison Maduekwe is being held for criminal charges in the United Kingdom over money laundering and corruption involving trillions of dollars carted away through the back-door from our national treasury while our people languish in abject poverty, joblessness and penury.

Before now, Senate President Saraki was in the Senate and showed signs of loyalty to the APC while the 7th Senate lasted. But indications are ripe to show that his loyalty in the 8th Senate may not be as solid as it was during the 7th Senate.

The question is: Why the sudden U-turn by Senator Saraki? This question can only be answered by him and other key players in our national polity.

However, the funny scenario playing out at the Senate since inception coupled with the power game surrounding the screening and confirmation of Amaechi are bad signs for the way forward and conjures not too good omen for the present administration of President Buhari. It has to be resolved urgently if the nation must achieve the Change mantra dreams that Nigerians massively voted for.

Another political cobra to watch out for in the 8th Senate is Senator Dino Melaye, Senate Committee Chairman on Media. He has demonstrated sufficient political rascality in the discharge of his duties to suggest that the APC as a party is parading a sizable number of BLACK LEGS among its fold in the Red Chambers. This has to be tackled by the party leadership.

Where do we go from here? The APC leadership will have to meet with President Buhari to immediately identify the INVISIBLE HANDS operating in the 8th Senate and House of Representatives. There is a mega political force behind Senate President Saraki and his highly radicalized group and this must be checked and handled with the strictest political tactics that it deserves.

Senator Dino Maleye told the nation a while ago that Amaechi will be screened tomorrow (Wednesday). This is the wish and aspirations of Nigerians, for Amaechi to get on board quickly as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to enable him continue with his superlative leadership roles in the Niger Delta in particular and to generally continue to serve our great nation in higher capacity.

Senate President Saraki and his political machinery at the Senate should know it that Nigerians are watching, the world is watching and that whatever he is up to now will certainly determine where he will be tomorrow.

With due respect to the 8th Senate and to Senate President Saraki, I am indeed flabbergasted and only wish that my Champagne will get out of the fridge tomorrow and be poured into glasses so as to celebrated the long awaited confirmation of the political Lion of the Niger Delta as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The truth is bitter but it MUST to be told for the good of society and in obedience to GOD’s command.

October 22, 2015
Tribunal stops live coverage of Saraki’s trial

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, on Wednesday barred live coverage of the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for alleged false asset declaration.

The tribunal’s Assistant Chief Registrar, Mr. Bintu Garba, told reporters that they could not take photographs or record the proceedings live.

Garba said he was acting on Justice Umar’s instructions.

Saraki arrived at the tribunal with 28 senators. His deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, was accompanied by four senators.

October 21, 2015
Asset declaration: Saraki arrives at tribunal

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in company of 28 senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Senate President is standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets.

October 21, 2015
‘Amaechi didn’t visit Saraki’s home last Thursday’

•Aide: ex-governor never protested deferment of screening

Former Rivers State Governor and ministerial nominee, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he did not visit Senate President Bukola Saraki at his home last Thursday.

The former governor said it was unthinkable that he was linked with an alleged protest for the deferment of his screening at the Senate in Abuja.

He described as untrue the allegation, which was published in a daily that he stormed the home of the Senate President in anger.

Amaechi, the former Director-General of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation and ex-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was reacting yesterday to the alleged visit in an online statement by his media aide, David Iyofor.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the front page report in ThisDay of today (October 19), where it was reported that Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, ‘was incensed by the deferment of his screening last week and stormed Saraki’s house to register his protest’.

“The ThisDay’s report, which the respected newspaper got from ‘sources,’ further claimed that during the visit last Thursday, Amaechi ‘was said to have raised his voice to express his frustration before leaving the home, without seeing the Senate President…’

“The imagery created in the last four paragraphs of the lead report in ThisDay of today (yesterday) was an angry Amaechi, who stormed the home of the Senate President Bukola Saraki, raised his voice as he made a scene or caused a ‘ruckus’ to display his frustration, over the deferment of his screening by the Senate, before ‘storming out in a huff’ without seeing the Senate President.

“This is absolutely not true. There is a deliberate and carefully-calibrated attempt to characterise Amaechi with a very bad and demeaning mannerism. We must clarify that Amaechi did not visit and was not at the home of the Senate President last Thursday. Since he did not go to the home of the Senate President last Thursday, there is absolutely no way what the newspaper sources claimed to have transpired, happened.

“We must emphasize that former Governor Amaechi holds the office of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in very high esteem and will never disrespect or act in any way that would put the office in disrepute. However, in this case, the incident reported never occurred, either on Thursday or any other day.”

October 20, 2015
Chile 2015: Saraki urges Golden Eaglets to conquer the world

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday urged the Golden Eaglets to re-enact their winning streak at this year’s under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile.

In a statement by his media office, Saraki said the Eaglets can make Nigeria proud again by demonstrating their world acclaimed superiority in the field of play.

He urged them to approach their opening encounters against the United States of America (USA), Chile and Croatia with all sense of purpose and dedication so as to qualify for the next stage of the championship.

He said: “This is another chance for our dear Golden Eaglets to conquer the world. You have done it before and I believe you can do it again. Nigerians and indeed the Senate are solidly behind you.

“I know that with patriotism, focus, resilience and indomitable spirit, you can again prove to the world that you can still shine like a million stars,” he stated.

He urged the team to imbibe discipline to achieve the desired objective of lifting the FIFA World for the fifth time.

He also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team’s coach and technical crew to ensure that no effort is spared in giving the players all they require to succeed.

He said: “Change has berthed in our country. Therefore, our football cannot be an exception. We all have a role to play to support our players to win this tournament once again.

“On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I urge you to go for goals and for the ultimate golden trophy.

“With the superlative form you have displayed so far, we are confident that Nigeria can go all the way to win this under-17 FIFA World Cup,” he stated.

He added that the Senate would continue to ensure that sports is accorded priority in terms of relevant legislations and budgetary provisions to make Nigeria emerge victorious at all international competitions.

October 18, 2015
Screening: ‘If Saraki can preside, Amaechi should pass’
The orchestrated delay by the Senate to confirm the ministerial nomination of Rotimi Amaechi is a brazen display of what happens when open and honest process is brushed aside so that the wiles of backroom and vengeful politics may take control of a vital constitutional function of the upper house of our National Assembly. The rule of fair law has been transformed into the rule of muddled evil.

They claim there is a petition against Rotimi Amaechi, Immediate Past Governor of Rivers State and a ministerial nominee. A court order enjoining his nomination is also alleged but no one seems to have seen the court order and

none can authoritatively state the name of the court that wrote the phantom order. Now, we have a phantom law and visible injustice.

This is but a slice of the bitter meal Senator Saraki hopes to serve Nigeria if he is allowed to continue to be the Chief Cook of the proceedings of the National Assembly. This ugly strategy against Amaechi shows the disregard the PDP and its allies have for constitutional and legal processes. To settle a local political score that resides only in Rivers state, they are willing to lay waste to the inner workings of the national government, particularly trashing the relationship between the Presidency and the National Assembly.

While we do not know from what court the order comes from but we fear with good reason that Saraki and company are turning the National Assembly into a court of kangaroos. There is a political gang-up against Amaechi by those who were his enemies in Rivers state. They were unable to touch him while governor; now they seek their pound of flesh.

We might expect this form of vindictiveness from the abrasive and embattled Governor Wike. Although, parading about with bombast and bluster as the governor, Wike knows his heavy skates are cutting into thin ice. The selection process by which he came to office cannot justifiably be deemed an election. If the electoral tribunal does as it ought, Wike’s tenure will be aborted. He will be removed from the Government House and put on the streets. This fall he can’t abide. He has nursed his wicked ambition too long to have it pulled from him after just as he is getting accustomed to it.

Thus, he has set himself on a most selfish mission. He has raided the cupboard of his state to pull out some of its precious funds to buy those senators, who would be bought, so that he can distort the national process to satisfy his parochial mission. Wike seeks to hold Amaechi hostage as long as the electoral case against him is pending. He hopes to trap Amaechi in among the worst of double traps. He attempts to roadblock Amaechi. Amaechi must somehow get the APC to abandon the tribunal case or Amaechi’s nomination shall remain in abeyance. However, to jettison the tribunal, Amaechi would have to beg the APC candidate as well as President Buhari and the party leadership. Not only would this be shameful, it would be political suicide for it is such a toxic entreaty that it has no prospect of success. Wike seeks to make Amaechi so desperate as light himself aflame politically.

Thus far, Amaechi has been smart and disciplined. He has not put his neck in the noose. While Wike’s scheme is cunning , it will enjoy a short shelf life. The rumor of court orders cannot stand. No federal court would dare issue such an order because federal jurists know that such an order would be an improper judicial encroachment into what is essentially a legislative function. Any order from a state court is an automatic nullity because federal institutions have primacy over state organs. As a son should not dictate to his father, a state court has no business entertaining an issue concerning the procedures of the National Assembly processes and a state court is certainly not in the position to enjoin the National Assembly. Again, this not the rule of law; it is rule of the lawless and the law of disorder.

While we should not be surprised at the craven behavior of Wike, we should be taken aback that the senate could allow itself to be brought so low, so swiftly. It is as if a stiff wind came and blew the stony edifice down as if made of crumbled paper and old rag.

Ironic that Senate President Saraki would allow this to happen. Amaechi and Saraki were close allies as governors. That he would sell Amaechi down the river for so cheap a blandishment should give all other Saraki allies pause. The man is so loyal and concerned about self that he has no loyalty and concern to bestow to others, to advance his cause one inch, he will slice the political neck of a friend. To be his ally is to begin to count the moments when his self interest will make him turn against you.

Yet, in all of this, there is an even greater irony. Saraki has climbed the summit of hypocrisy. Amaechi has not been indicted much less convicted of any crime. One cannot be barred from high office merely by the shadow of rumor and the craft of those who monger them. In a chamber where the presiding officer is undergoing a court trial for corruption and where scores of other senators are under investigations by various graft agencies, they have no moral standing to sidetrack Amaechi’s nomination. Like the Senators, Amaechi is yet to be tried and found guilty by any court of law. Thus, he stands innocent until proven guilty. He should not be denied his rights and we, the people, should be denied our right to the fair and honest operation of the National Assembly in the exercise of its constitutional duties.

The change the people voted for was that our elected officials would abide the constitution and rule of law. What we did not vote for is that they would invent new, more odious ways to shackle democracy and undermine governance for all in pursuit of their narrowing agendas.

If the Senate insists in not confirming Amaechi because of the allegations against him, then the Senate should begin to purge itself of members in like circumstances. The extraction should start at the very top. If the senators cannot treat Amaechi’s nomination due to the extra-judicial allegations against him, then the Senate should suspend Senate President Saraki, who actually has a formal corruption case against him. Also, the other senators who are subjects of official investigations should be relieved of their duties until their matters are resolved. Put another way, if the law protects Saraki and others by regarding them innocent until proven guilty, that same rule must also apply to Rotimi.

The machinations surrounding the nomination of the former Governor of Rivers state show that an unfortunate segment of the political class still fails to realize that change has come to Nigeria. They still seek the bankrupt politics of old where money trumps right and affluence means more than the rule of law and decency. These people seek to keep us in the past.

Therefore, we must demand that the Amaechi nomination is moved forward. We do this not for Amaechi. Whether he comes or goes is in some ways irrelevant. It just so happens that, once again, he finds himself in the midst of a constitutional and political maelstrom. Eight years ago, the Supreme Court had to save his governorship seat. They did so, not out of personal favor to him, but to insert the rule of law in place of the rule of naked power.

We come again now to a moment where Amaechi is in the eye of the tempest but we recognize that the issue transcends him. The stakes are big.

We fight those who still believe they can purchase our institutions because Nigerian governance and democracy remain for sale. We must say that they are wrong and that if they persist in this misconduct, they will be facing more than allegations. They shall face the rebuke of the people and the close scrutiny of our judicial system.

Before they decry the speck on Amaechi’s shoes, they better clear the mud from their own.
- Omolewa writes from Lagos
October 18, 2015
Tribunal upholds Saraki’s election

The National and state Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday upheld the election of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the upper legislative house.

Details later…

October 13, 2015
Saraki: The public’s turn

Not many of the columns posted in this space have drawn as many reactions as the most recent one (“Beyond the list,” October 6, 2015).

The part that seems to have resonated the most was the concluding paragraph, here reproduced for ease of reference:

“I am hoping that when the (confirmation) hearings get under way, at least one nominee will look Saraki in the face and say, ‘Senator, with all due respect to your office, you lack the moral integrity to sit in judgment as to whether I should serve on the President Buhari’s cabinet or not. I cannot and will not submit to your authority in this matter. I thank the President for the nomination, but must for the reason I have stated respectfully withdraw my name from consideration.’”

The reactions speak for themselves. I am reporting virtually all the salient ones, edited for space and coherence. My aim is not to advance a cause, but to share with the attentive public some sense of the balance of opinion in this corner on an issue that is likely to define, for better or worse, the Buhari administration and its commitment to enthroning probity in public life.

*

Disciplined leadership is important to infuse and inculcate the right attitudes indispensable to meaningful progress. Dr Bukola Saraki should learn what morality is all about by evaluating himself and taking a look at his conducts so far. If a man goes into public office, he must be prepared for the consequences. He must make himself proof against calumny. In this, honesty is crucial. Adegoke O. O. Bako, Ibadan.

Any nominee who acted the last paragraph will not only be stoned, but may fetch jungle justice from friends, family and even his wìfe or the husband as the case may be. –Anon.

The case on Saraki is political and should be handled with care. Hence we may be sitting on a keg of a gun powder as a nation – Dr Albert Olajide Akinyemi, Ikole-Ekiti.

Whether Saraki is corrupt or not is not the issue. The fact remains that constitutionally, he will preside over the screening of ministerial nominees and he has the final say on who is cleared or not. – Anon.

When will Nigerians develop mentally to the state referred to in the last paragraph of “Beyond the list”? The Bukola Saraki I know could have stepped aside for moral reasons, pending the determination of the issue at stake – Joe Ehalaiye, Kogi State

If any ministerial nominee thinks he is bold enough, let him confront the Senate president by telling him he doesn’t have the integrity to screen him and see if such a nominee will not be disqualified — Anon

Your desire at your age to stand the truth on its head just to malign Saraki and satisfy your master is shameful. For your information, Saraki and other dignitaries were assaulted by workers protesting non-payments. It’s amazing how much space The Nation devotes to the Saraki bashing project. We know it will soon be Buhari when he fails your master. Anon

Mr. Kabba (Okun) man. What actually is your problem with the Senate President, an Ilorin man? Old politics in the old Kwara State? Uhunn…time shall tell. I supposed by now, you ought to be an elder statesman. Anon.

Leave Saraki alone. Where were you when Asiwaju went to CCT in 2011? You were quiet. You are very partial. I will never read your comment again. Tokunbo.

I’ve expected you to, at least investigate other political office holders, especially governors, past and present including your paymaster and tell the public your findings in respect of fraud or corrupt practices. If your sword of attack is directed at Bukola Saraki alone, any reasonable reader will assess you as a mere archetype of personified journalist who lacks the ethics –Anon

Re: Beyond the list: “. . .respectfully withdraw from consideration.” What a fantastic conclusion on your article. I hope a nominee with a standing integrity could declare this. Alhaji (Dr) Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki found himself entangled in a political cobweb and should only do the needful, to retain the little respect that he still has. Biyi Adesanya, Ibadan.

I’m still waiting for that day when The Nation will stop attacking Tinubu’s presumed enemies in politics. Well, he who pays the piper always dictates the tune. halabi42@yahoo.com

I‘m not a politician, but an old Shell retiree, retired 23 years ago. Reading through your At Home Abroad comments in today’s The Nation, I broadly salute you and say well done. If Saraki is truly educated and honourable, he should at this point put in his resignation. Engr JK, Gasper.

A very beautiful piece. Let’s hope one of the nominees would be bold enough to speak up. Anon

I cannot think of a more appropriate and damning response to your biased intervention on the Saraki matter than what Professor Ayo Olukotun aptly captures as “The Corruption of Anti-corruption”, on the back page of The Punch of September 25, 2015. Kuteyi R.R, Ondo.

Will it not be abnormal for an accused facing 13 charges with criminal undertone to screen ministerial nominees of the President of the biggest black nation in the world? Please let him know that he needs to be preparing for his defence on October 21, 22 and 23, 2015. ‘Wole Olatunbosun.

You have passed this level you exhibited in your today’s article. It’s very pedestrian and mediocre. We expect better intellectual inputs. Anon

Your article proves what a loyal employee you are. Imagine the way Saraki is searched and found is the same way the owner of The Nation is searched. By now, you would have been looking for another job. Ogbadu

Truth is bitter as always, but has to be told all the same. Well done sir for saying it the way it is. – Tony Iheanacho, Jos.

Since Senate president Saraki has a case to answer over illegal assets declaration, he is not entitled to preside over the screening of ministerial nominees. —chika nnorom

That was a masterpiece. The likes of Dino Melaye know that Senate confirmation in Nigeria is for sale. This is the Senate’s harvest period; they waited long for it to come. Dino should not fool us. As for Saraki, red oil trying to wash the soap! What do you get? Rubbish. Yes, let him forever get stuck “in the hole he dug himself into” Moses Imiegha

“Beyond the list” was the tonic I need after much thought about the nation. The FG should not allow any political solution to any judicial matter in this country any more. Let the so-called Senate president continue his lying. The truth is that he was stoned in Ilorin. Those senators supporting Saraki cannot go back to their constituencies and tell them. They are all liars. Your ink shall never dry. Abdulrahaman Yusuf.

Re:.”Beyond the list” credited to Olatunji Dare in The Nation of October 6 is a piece that calls for sober reflection. Why is it that the Yoruba are always after themselves? I advise they should borrow a leaf from other tribes. Steve

I always appreciate the flow in AT HOME ABROAD. I will like to comment on “Beyond the list.” The legislature can overturn the judgment of the court simply by enacting or amending a law. Please see S.E.C. v. Kasunmu (2009) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1150) 509. Anon.

The list of ministerial nominees unveiled turned out to be mixed bag of heavily corrupt, superbly corrupt and moderately corrupt Nigerians. Nothing to cheer. Rather than any of them looking Saraki in the face, they are most likely to lobby him not to expose them. Whether charged to court or not, we know them. Anon

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Nigerians voted decisively for change. Following the election, heady intimations of a new dawn swept the landscape. Many were cautious, skeptical even, because they have lived through too many false dawns.

This must not be another false dawn.

October 13, 2015