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Tag: Saraki

  • NASS clerk, Saraki snubbed Buhari‘s request – Presidency

    NASS clerk, Saraki snubbed Buhari‘s request – Presidency

    The Presidency on Wednesday, said the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, snubbed President Muhammadu Buhari’s request and conducted the election that produced Saraki as Senate President.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that there was a request for the National Assembly to move the time of the inauguration in other for the meeting with the All Progressives Congress lawmakers to hold.

    Shehu, who spoke on Sunrise Daily, a morning programme on Channels TV, explained that Buhari declined to meet the 51 APC lawmakers at the International Conference Centre because election had already been completed by lawmakers who stayed back at the National Assembly complex.

    According to him, the point of going to the ICC was lost once the process of election had begun.

    He said: “Well, President Buhari had planned to be there to show support for the party and once the process had began, the point had been lost. Let me make this clear, I think somebody just wanted to bump into the President because the President had discussed what he wants. Governor Saraki directly or indirectly, the clerk of the National Assembly was reached directly or indirectly and they would have shown that respect to Mr. President, but the process went ahead. And that is it.

    “I am talking about the clerk, governor saraki, the key characters in all of these had sufficient information directly or indirectly coming to them that the President will be meeting the party members and the party chairman was present on the ground. Assumption would have been that every loyal and committed party member would have presented themselves to the party and to their President. That did not happen yesterday (Tuesday).

    “I mean the information had been made available to people who would have decide this process. A respect for the President even if and for him to have made this point, even the outcome would have been the same. They chose to be absent. They chose to respect their party and the President. 51 APC Senators decided to answer the call of the party and the President and were present to this meeting. It was not as if it was a secret meeting.

    “The party had begun a process and concluded it and some of these actors were part of that process. They knew what had happened. There was a shadow election of some sort. It is clear that there was nothing accidental in all of these things that happened. The process I meant, what I meant is that the APC as a party had began a process for choosing leaders. There was a shadow election in which leaders were chosen on the platform of the political party and it was complete. There was no doubt about it.

    Shehu debunked claims that the meeting was made secret, adding that the invitation for the meeting was online and all efforts were made to notify the key people involved in the drama that played out on Tuesday.

    He also denied that President Buhari deliberately kept the 51 APC lawmakers at the ICC in order for them not to partake in the election.

    He, however, said that Buhari will work with whoever is the Senate President, adding that the President will support whatever decision the APC takes.

    Shehu added that the President has not congratulated  Saraki and  Dogara over their victories.

     

  • APC kicks as Saraki, Dogara emerge Assembly leaders

    APC kicks as Saraki, Dogara emerge Assembly leaders

    12 APC senators join PDP to elect Senate President

    Defiant Reps pick Dogara as Speaker

    Buhari: Constitutional process has somewhat occurred

    It’s unacceptable, says party

    Twelve All Progressives Congress (APC) senators-elect yesterday teamed up with their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colleagues to return Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki unopposed as the President of the Eighth Senate.

    Hon. Yakubu Dogara was voted Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    But the APC, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the emergence of the duo as an act of “indiscipline” and “treachery”.

    Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged Deputy President of the Senate.

    Ekweremadu is the immediate past Deputy Senate President under the Senator David Mark Senate Presidency.

    All the 57 senators-elect, mostly PDP members, present during the election unanimously elected Saraki.

    Saraki represents APC Kwara Central Senatorial District. Ekweremadu represents PDP Enugu West Senatorial District.

    The election of Saraki and Ekweremadu ended the intense lobbying for the offices.

    Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North) and Senator George Akume (APC Benue North West), who emerged APC consensus candidates for Senate president and deputy Senate president were not at the Senate chamber during the election.

    The 12 APC senators who teamed up to choose Saraki included Saraki himself, Dino Melaye, Ahmed Rufai Sani, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, Rufiu Adebayo Ibrahim, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Ohiare and Francis Asekhame Alimikhena.

    Sources said a meeting of PDP senators in Mark’s home on Sunday may have sealed the plot for the senators to vote Saraki in an arrangement that would also see Ekweremadu emerge as Deputy President of the Senate. The Nation reported the “intrigues” exclusively yesterday.

    The election of Saraki started at exactly 10 am  when the Clerk to the National Assembly (NA), Salisu Maikasua, welcomed the senators-elect.

    He read the proclamation memo issued by President Muhammadu Buhari for the first session of the Eighth Senate to hold by 10am .

    Maikasua reminded the senators-elect that they were free to vote for the candidate of their choice in a free and fair election.

    The CNA mandated the Deputy Clerk to the Senate, Adedotun Durojaiye, to proceed with the roll call of the senators-elect in alphabetical order.

    The Deputy Clerk took the roll call and announced that only 57 Senators-elect were in the chamber.

    He also gave the quorum required for the election as 37.

    The remaining APC senators were at the International Conference Centre together with party leaders waiting to hold a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The roll call and quorum established, the Deputy Clerk asked for a proposal to take the chair of the Office of the Senate President.

    Former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Rufai Sani proposed that Saraki do take the chair of the Senate President.

    Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) seconded Senator Sani’s proposal.

    Saraki was immediately called to accept or decline the proposal.

    Saraki accepted to take the chair of the Senate President.

    The Clerk to the Senate asked whether there was any further proposal or nomination for the Office of the Senate President. There was dead silence in the Senate Chamber.

    The Clerk, once again, asked whether there was further proposal for the Office of the Senate President.

    There was no response from any of the senators-elect.

    The Clerk announced that Saraki had been duly elected as the President of the Eighth Senate.

    Maikasua administered the oath of office on Saraki.

    There was jubilation on the floor of the Senate as those in Saraki’s camp launched into a victory song.

    The next stage was the election of the Deputy President of the Senate.

    The Deputy Clerk to the Senate called for proposal for the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate.

    Senator George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East) proposed Senator Ike Ekweremadu to take the chair of the Deputy President of the Senate.

    Senator Olaka Nwogu (Rivers West) seconded the proposal. Ekeremadu accepted.

    The Clerk also asked if there was further proposal.

    Senator Rufiu Adebayo Ibrahim (Kwara South) nominated Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who represents Borno South. Ndume accepted.

    The voting for the Office of the Deputy President was by secret ballot. Senators-elect were handed ballot papers to make their choice.

    At the end of balloting and counting of votes at 11.55 am, the Deputy Clerk to the Senate announced that 75 senators-elect participated in the election.

    He said Ndume received 20 votes. Ekweremadu got 56 votes.

    One Senator-elected abstained from voting.

    Maikasua inaugurated Ekweremadu as Deputy President.

    Maikasua singled out Mark and inaugurated him as “a mark of honour.”

    This is the first time in the past 16 years of the rebirth of democracy in the country that the President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate will be elected from two opposing political parties.

    APC produced the President of the Senate. The Deputy Senate President was elected from the opposition political platform of the PDP.

  • I will protect legislative independence, says Saraki

    I will protect legislative independence, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday pledged to protect the independence of the legislative arm of government.

    Saraki stated this in his inaugural address after his inauguration as President of the Eight Senate.

    “It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislative arm of our government in the overall interest of our democracy,” Saraki said

    The Senate President said he will do so with the understanding that legislative  autonomy must be embedded within the collaborative framework that allows government to function more effectively in bringing the greater good to the greatest number of the people.

    He noted that their quest for autonomy must not lead them into pursuing adversarial relationship with other arms of government, especially the executive.

    Saraki also said that their oversight duties must be constructive, supportive and productive, “believing that while we all have different roles to play, we have a common responsibility to the people of Nigeria.”

    He said: “I am immensely delighted that only a few months after we have witnessed an uncommon democratic transition in our country, we are witnessing yet again, a further consolidation of that lofty victory for our country and our democracy.

    “I want to thank all members of the National Assembly, especially the distinguished Senators for your maturity and patriotism in the exercise that we have just concluded in electing the leadership of the eighth Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We have demonstrated that even though we may belong to different persuasions and parties, we are ultimately united by our common desire to entrench democracy and allow its core principles guide the conduct of our political affairs.

    “I thank all those who have supported me and journeyed with me through the difficult road that has brought us here.

    “I believe that the courage and the commitment that you have demonstrated go beyond your support for any individual’s ambition.

    “I believe that what you have demonstrated is an unflinching commitment to the sanctity and integrity of this hallowed chamber as the primary bastion for the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

    “Beyond any political party or personal victory, the 2015 general elections, in many ways, represent a major watershed in the political annals of our great country.

    “And for long would that moment be remembered as the period when our democracy truly came of age.

    “The uniqueness of that moment, fired by our people’s overwhelming desire for change would remain an inspiration for the future generation of our country.

    “However, the enormous responsibilities that it imposes on those of us who occupy leadership positions in our respective capacity at this time can hardly be over-emphasized.

    “The change that our people voted for is a change from a life of poverty, misery and hopelessness to a life of prosperity, happiness and confidence in the future; a change from a pervasive culture of fear to a life of security and comfort; a change from impunity and elite arrogance to a life of accountability and respect for every citizen, regardless of tribe, gender, religion, region or political persuasion.

    “This is the change that all of us in this National Assembly must strive to bring about, if we must justify the privilege of representation conferred on us by our people.

    “Nigerians want to see a proactive National Assembly that will devote itself to rigorous thinking, rolling up sleeves to forge a new and prosperous Nigeria.

    “As the President of the eighth Senate and the Chairman of this National Assembly, I shall be guided by the enormity of the responsibilities that this moment imposes on us all.

    “As a first among equals, I shall strive at all times to be just, equitable and fair to all.

    “I shall work with you all to build a National Assembly that will enjoy greater confidence and trust among the people that we represent. We shall entrench greater openness and accountability.

    “We shall strengthen our capacity for public engagement as well as broaden access for inclusion, recognizing that this temple of democracy belongs to all the people of our country.

    “Modern democracy is built on the principle of separation of powers.

    “It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislative arm of our government in the overall interest of our democracy.

    “However, I will pursue this duty with the understanding that our autonomy must be embedded within the collaborative framework that allows government to function more effectively in bringing the greater good to the greatest number of our people.

    “Our quest for autonomy must not lead us into pursuing adversarial relationship with other arms of government, especially the executive.

    “Our oversight duties must be constructive, supportive and productive, believing that while we all have different roles to play; we have a common responsibility to the people of Nigeria.

    “At this juncture, permit me distinguished Senators, Honourable Members to salute the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for remaining steadfast in his defence of the right of the National Assembly members to choose its own leaders.

    “With his principled position, he has laid a solid foundation for the stability of the 8th National Assembly and for strengthening our democracy.

    “On behalf of my colleagues in the Senate (and the House of Representatives,) I promise that we shall reward the great confidence you have reposed in us by being worthy partners and dependable ally in the great task ahead.

    “Similarly, I thank all the leaders of our party, the All Progressives Congress for the leadership you have provided and the efforts you have made in providing guidance and in managing the process that would lead to amicable resolution of the conflict and contention that any democratic process necessarily generates.

    “Now we can move forward with renewed confidence in our efforts to build a stronger and virile party, where all members would find comfort and space to pursue their legitimate aspirations.

    “Shall end this address by expressing the immense gratitude of all members of the 7th Senate and House of Representatives to His Excellency, David Bonaventure Mark, for the uncommon leadership that you have provided for us over the years, which has stabilized the National Assembly and paved the way for the enormous achievements that were recorded under your leadership.”

  • PDP, Atiku, Ahmed, others greet Saraki, Dogara

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have congratulated the Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    A statement yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, described the development in both chambers of the National Assembly as victory for democracy.

    It assured that it would continue to partner with like minds in other political parties and groups to ensure that the nation’s democracy, was sustained in the overall interest of the people.

    “What is paramount to the PDP is the sustenance of our democracy and the wellbeing of our people, irrespective of creed, class or ethnicity. The PDP is therefore willing and ready to partner with like-minded individuals in other political parties and groups to sustain our democracy, ensure good governance and promote the unity and stability of our dear nation. Nigeria as a nation belongs to all of us. Its interest therefore must be put over and above personal, partisan or group interests at all times.

    “In this regard, the PDP notes with gratitude, the immense contributions of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark for the decency and mature manner with which he ensured the smooth take off of the 8th National Assembly”, the party added.

    The statement also commended the PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus for “successfully galvanising” PDP members in both chambers of the National Assembly, which it said, contributed to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    The PDP charged its members in the National Assembly to continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and enforce the constitutionally vested parliamentary role of check and balances to ensure the much desired accountability and probity in the polity.

    It urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the will of the people, respect the independence of the legislature.

    Atiku congratulated the newly elected leaders of the National Assembly, admonishing them to see their elections beyond the narrow interests of their political parties.

    The former Vice President in a statement from his media office, said with the elections of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly should swing to work and put the overall national interest beyond the personal political interests of its members.

    He said with the election of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly has prepared the ground work for a full legislative business and reminded every member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of their responsibilities to their constituents, which, he said, is to put national interest before their individual political interest.

    Atiku added that Irrespective of the political mix through which the presiding officers emerged, the 8th National Assembly should never lose focus of its role as a partner in progress with the other arms of government, especially the executive arm.

    “The Nigerian people look up to the new National Assembly to work with the executive arm in finding solutions to the problems of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and joblessness in the country. Their election is indeed a call to duty, and it is a call for which they cannot afford to fail the nation,” he said.

    Ahmed and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, hailed the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President.

    Ahmed, in a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr Muideen Akorede, said: “On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, I congratulate my leader, distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki, the new Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly. His emergence not only reaffirms the supremacy of popular will, it also underlines our collective preference for a credible legislature and our confidence in Senator Bukola Saraki’s capacity and competence to lead it.”

    Ahmad described Saraki’s emergence as liberation of the National Assembly and respect for sanctity of the Constitution.

    Ahmed, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Sanni, said the senators have demonstrated maturity and zeal to deepen the country’s democracy by ensuring the independence of the first arm of government.

    He expressed confidence that the National Assembly under the leadership of Saraki would serve as the voice of Nigerians, check and balance, and stabilise the nation’s polity, stressing that the Senators had demonstrated that the nation’s constitution supercedes any other sentiment.

  • Confusion as Saraki, Ekweremadu emerge Senate President, Deputy

    Confusion as Saraki, Ekweremadu emerge Senate President, Deputy

    A major crisis broke out on Tuesday morning in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Senator Bukola Saraki emerging as Senate President.

    Only 57 Senators sat to vote Saraki. The others (51) were not at the sitting.

    Also on  Tuesday, Senator Ike Ekweremadu edged out Senator Ali Ndume of the APC in the poll for Deputy Senate President.

    Ekweremadu, who  is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was the Deputy Senate President in the last dispensation.

    Details later…

  • Saraki dumps APC to run with Ekweremadu

    Saraki dumps APC to run with Ekweremadu

    • Bloc votes
    • plan collapses
    • Ex-Kwara governor shuns Ndume, Goje, others

    Plans to get Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect to vote en bloc for principal officers during today’s inauguration of the Eighth National Assembly collapsed yesterday.

    There was also a split among the PDP governors on who to support between Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Bukola Saraki for Senate president.

    But The Nation learned this morning that at a meeting of PDP Senators-elect in Abuja, 28 agreed to back Saraki/Ike Ekweremadu ticket; 17 agreed to back Lawan/Akume ticket. That was after Saraki decided to work with PDP in a desperate move to win the race.

    Some senators and members-elect rejected the suggestion by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that PDP senators should vote Saraki.

    Lawan at the weekend emerged the choice candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a mock election by the party’s senators-elect. But the Saraki camp rejected the straw poll and vowed to contest for the position on the floor today.

    The APC is the majority party in the Senate, with 59 senators-elect. The PDP has 49 senators.

    It was learnt that at a meeting held by the PDP caucus on Sunday night in former Senate  President David Mark’s residence in Apo, Abuja, the divided PDP senators-elect and their governors were said to have threatened to draft one of them into the race if the APC failed to agree on a consensus candidate.

    Some of the PDP senators said to be rooting for Saraki allegedly suggested that they should forge a vibrant opposition on Tuesday by voting against the APC consensus choice as a signal of what form of opposition to expect in the Senate in the new dispensation.

    The PDP senators were said to have contended that voting against APC’s preferred candidate would signpost a resolute stand to keep the PDP alive.

    A source at the meeting said a former principal officer in the Seventh Senate was the brain behind the proposal.

    The source said most of the senators disagreed vehemently with the suggestion.

    Those opposed to the suggestion, it was learnt, averred that toeing the line of action would only serve the interest of a few, particularly the governors, rather than that of the PDP as a party.

    The source noted that most of the senators agreed that “we should wait and see what the APC senators will come up with”.

    He said: “The surprise of the night was that some of the governors who former President Goodluck Jonathan laboured to install were those at the vanguard of the Saraki project, a man who practically destroyed PDP.

    “Most senators at the meeting viewed supporting Saraki as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

    “They contended that it will be bad politics to reward a man who took up arms against his party, destroyed it and moved to build another one.”

    The meeting was said to have ended without the Senators taking a final decision on who to back for Senate president.

    A former acting National Publicity Secretary of PDP Chief Bode Ojomu, yesterday warned the party against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

    Another source said: “At the end of the day, we could not agree on bloc votes for any of the candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives. Governor Fayose pleaded with party leaders to see the battle as one between the PDP and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He begged the party to ‘clip’ Tinubu’s  wings.

    “But some senators-elect warned Fayose against going personal. They queried the morality behind PDP supporting candidates who defected from the party to the APC. They alleged that their defection led to the defeat of PDP at the polls.

    “The governors were also split on who to back for the National Assembly offices.”

    “At the end of the day, we could not reach a consensus on casting our votes en bloc for either of the candidates. I can tell you that everyone is on his own.”

    The difficulty in arriving at a consensus has created an upset in Saraki’s camp.

    It was gathered that those who are pro-Saraki were trying to strengthen the accord between their candidate and the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

    The latest plot will lead to Saraki dumping Senator Ali Ndume as his favourite for Deputy President of the Senate.

    Another source added: “They will continue to sell a dummy to Ndume that he will be Deputy President of the Senate if Saraki gets the ticket.

    “But as soon as Saraki wins, they will nominate Ekweremadu who is expected to deliver the bloc votes of the Senators-elect from the SouthEast in collaboration with Senator Andy Uba.”

    Uba and Ekweremadu could not be reached for comments last night.

    It was gathered that the collapse of consensus by PDP has created a serious setback for Yakubu Dogara who is seeking to contest for Speaker of the House of Representatives with the party’s candidate, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Dogara could only garner support from 55 out of the 209 APC members-elect for the House of Representatives.

    Another source said: “Dogara had banked on permutations that 120 PDP members-elect will vote for him but his hope was dashed last night by the split in the party.

    “In fact, to earn the support of PDP, he was mandated to mobilise at least 70 members-elect from the APC. But Dogara is stranded as he could only secure the backing of 55 members-elect from the APC.

    “As it is now, the moves to frustrate Gbajabiamila’s aspiration have failed. This is why they have resorted to blackmail and wild-chase in the court.

    “Some pro-Dogara members-elect were also last night whipping up religious sentiments to set the core North against the party’s candidate.”

    Ojomu warned the PDP against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

    He said those who defected from PDP to APC could not turn back to the party they decimated for succour.

    Ojomu, in a statement, warned the PDP against playing politics of “pay back time” against the APC.

    The statement said: “It is worrisome to observe that many of those who walked out were former PDP members who joined the APC and are acting out exactly the same script of ‘give a dog a bad name to hang it’ adopted as strategy to exit from the PDP for their safe landing in the APC.

    “Today, by their actions and inactions alongside, other several factors left PDP comatose and one wonders if everybody acted like them who will be PDP senators and House of Representatives members to be now courted to defend their interest for victory at all cost against their ruling party’s official position.

    “They decimated the PDP and now want to rely on it as strength to climb to number three and four in our nation. That’s crass opportunism and the PDP leaders in the Red and Green Chambers should not provide themselves as ready tools for self-serving pursuits.

    “Strengthening party supremacy, party discipline, national stability and cohesion in government are the gains of PDP in National Assembly, standing firm that any political party official position or policy shall stand.

    “Nigeria needs men of stable character. After all, those who stand for nothing fall for anything. The men and women that constitute the Nigeria’s Legislature must stand for something and in these circumstances it is principled position on party supremacy, notwithstanding that the former A.C.N botched that principle in the choice of speakership in 2011.“

    Ojomu said the APC had the right to put forward those who should be on its platform in the National Assembly leadership.

    The statement said: “Let it be noted that if the party was ever right to sponsor senatorial/House of Representatives candidate for election, it must also be right to determine who to put forward on its platform.

    “No responsible political party in a democratic process that outlaws individual, independent candidate for elective offices will abdicate its historical and natural responsibility to present a sole candidate for each of the NASS Principal Offices.

    “It will be unconventional for APC to watch helplessly for its members to contest in a free for all manner in the Red and Green Chambers.

    “The gladiators need to drop sophistry in their argument and be educated that there is nothing undemocratic in the ruling party adopted open balloting process as opposed to secret balloting that was preferred by contending parties. Option A4 adopted in the Third Republic with SDP and NRC was adjudged one of the best democratic processes this country has ever witnessed. You queue behind your preferred candidate or party.”

  • Senate: Lawan, Saraki split PDP senators, governors

    Senate: Lawan, Saraki split PDP senators, governors

    Bloc votes
    plan collapses

    Oyegun: party’s decision supreme

    Saraki dumps Ndume for Ekweremadu

    Plans to get Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect to vote en bloc for principal officers during today’s inauguration of the Eighth National Assembly collapsed yesterday.

    There was also a split among the PDP governors on who to support between Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Bukola Saraki for Senate president.

    Some senators and members-elect rejected the suggestion by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that PDP senators should vote Saraki.

    Lawan at the weekend emerged the choice candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a mock election by the party’s senators-elect. But the Saraki camp rejected the straw poll and vowed to contest for the position on the floor today.

    The APC is the majority party in the Senate, with 59 senators-elect. The PDP has 49 senators.

    It was learnt that at a meeting held by the PDP caucus on Sunday night in former Senate  President David Mark’s residence in Apo, Abuja, the divided PDP senators-elect and their governors were said to have threatened to draft one of them into the race if the APC failed to agree on a consensus candidate.

    Some of the PDP senators said to be rooting for Saraki allegedly suggested that they should forge a vibrant opposition on Tuesday by voting against the APC consensus choice as a signal of what form of opposition to expect in the Senate in the new dispensation.

    The PDP senators were said to have contended that voting against APC’s preferred candidate would signpost a resolute stand to keep the PDP alive.

    A source at the meeting said a former principal officer in the Seventh Senate was the brain behind the proposal.

    The source said most of the senators disagreed vehemently with the suggestion.

    Those opposed to the suggestion, it was learnt, averred that toeing the line of action would only serve the interest of a few, particularly the governors, rather than that of the PDP as a party.

    The source noted that most of the senators agreed that “we should wait and see what the APC senators will come up with”.

    He said: “The surprise of the night was that some of the governors who former President Goodluck Jonathan laboured to install were those at the vanguard of the Saraki project, a man who practically destroyed PDP.

    “Most senators at the meeting viewed supporting Saraki as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

    “They contended that it will be bad politics to reward a man who took up arms against his party, destroyed it and moved to build another one.”

    The meeting was said to have ended without the Senators taking a final decision on who to back for Senate president.

    A former acting National Publicity Secretary of PDP Chief Bode Ojomu, yesterday warned the party against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

    Another source said: “At the end of the day, we could not agree on bloc votes for any of the candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives. Governor Fayose pleaded with party leaders to see the battle as one between the PDP and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He begged the party to ‘clip’ Tinubu’s  wings.

    “But some senators-elect warned Fayose against going personal. They queried the morality behind PDP supporting candidates who defected from the party to the APC. They alleged that their defection led to the defeat of PDP at the polls.

    “The governors were also split on who to back for the National Assembly offices.”

    “At the end of the day, we could not reach a consensus on casting our votes en bloc for either of the candidates. I can tell you that everyone is on his own.”

    The difficulty in arriving at a consensus has created an upset in Saraki’s camp.

    It was gathered that those who are pro-Saraki were trying to strengthen the accord between their candidate and the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

    The latest plot will lead to Saraki dumping Senator Ali Ndume as his favourite for Deputy President of the Senate.

    Another source added: “They will continue to sell a dummy to Ndume that he will be Deputy President of the Senate if Saraki gets the ticket.

    “But as soon as Saraki wins, they will nominate Ekweremadu who is expected to deliver the bloc votes of the Senators-elect from the SouthEast in collaboration with Senator Andy Uba.”

    Uba and Ekweremadu could not be reached for comments last night.

    It was gathered that the collapse of consensus by PDP has created a serious setback for Yakubu Dogara who is seeking to contest for Speaker of the House of Representatives with the party’s candidate, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Dogara could only garner support from 55 out of the 209 APC members-elect for the House of Representatives.

    Another source said: “Dogara had banked on permutations that 120 PDP members-elect will vote for him but his hope was dashed last night by the split in the party.

    “In fact, to earn the support of PDP, he was mandated to mobilise at least 70 members-elect from the APC. But Dogara is stranded as he could only secure the backing of 55 members-elect from the APC.

    “As it is now, the moves to frustrate Gbajabiamila’s aspiration have failed. This is why they have resorted to blackmail and wild-chase in the court.

    “Some pro-Dogara members-elect were also last night whipping up religious sentiments to set the core North against the party’s candidate.”

    Ojomu warned the PDP against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

    He said those who defected from PDP to APC could not turn back to the party they decimated for succour.

    Ojomu, in a statement, warned the PDP against playing politics of “pay back time” against the APC.

    The statement said: “It is worrisome to observe that many of those who walked out were former PDP members who joined the APC and are acting out exactly the same script of ‘give a dog a bad name to hang it’ adopted as strategy to exit from the PDP for their safe landing in the APC.

    “Today, by their actions and inactions alongside, other several factors left PDP comatose and one wonders if everybody acted like them who will be PDP senators and House of Representatives members to be now courted to defend their interest for victory at all cost against their ruling party’s official position.

    “They decimated the PDP and now want to rely on it as strength to climb to number three and four in our nation. That’s crass opportunism and the PDP leaders in the Red and Green Chambers should not provide themselves as ready tools for self-serving pursuits.

    “Strengthening party supremacy, party discipline, national stability and cohesion in government are the gains of PDP in National Assembly, standing firm that any political party official position or policy shall stand.

    “Nigeria needs men of stable character. After all, those who stand for nothing fall for anything. The men and women that constitute the Nigeria’s Legislature must stand for something and in these circumstances it is principled position on party supremacy, notwithstanding that the former A.C.N botched that principle in the choice of speakership in 2011.“

    Ojomu said the APC had the right to put forward those who should be on its platform in the National Assembly leadership.

    The statement said: “Let it be noted that if the party was ever right to sponsor senatorial/House of Representatives candidate for election, it must also be right to determine who to put forward on its platform.

    “No responsible political party in a democratic process that outlaws individual, independent candidate for elective offices will abdicate its historical and natural responsibility to present a sole candidate for each of the NASS Principal Offices.

    “It will be unconventional for APC to watch helplessly for its members to contest in a free for all manner in the Red and Green Chambers.

    “The gladiators need to drop sophistry in their argument and be educated that there is nothing undemocratic in the ruling party adopted open balloting process as opposed to secret balloting that was preferred by contending parties. Option A4 adopted in the Third Republic with SDP and NRC was adjudged one of the best democratic processes this country has ever witnessed. You queue behind your preferred candidate or party.”

  • Saraki and the limits of over ambition

    WITH the dawn of  Super Tuesday for the election of the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives, we have seen party discipline fall by the way side as many leading members, driven by over ambition are willing to work against the ruling party in other to satisfy their narrow political interest. The refusal of the Saraki and the Dogara camps to line up behind the candidates picked by the party, APC, is  an affront on party cohesion and discipline.

    This  is what we are been confronted with within the APC as we choose our senate President and Speaker of the House today. Let no man however deservedly placed in the party  misunderstand the opportunities at play and the fundamental significance of unity in the power play that will determine who becomes Senate President or Speaker of the House.

    Politics is the study of human behaviour and interaction. Politicking is the intervention of forces beyond commonsense and a display of an amalgamation of who secures both power and authority. Power and authority is one tool in the methodology of politics that help develop and shape cohesion in the development of the state and the furtherance of democratic ideals for peace stability and good governance. Power sometimes is transient and is sought after at all cost to make possible authority governance peace and progress.

    Today within the APC, there is power play in the quest for authority. Authority determines how power is and can be used, for one without the other makes the doctrine of separation of powers intangible. Personalities help wield power, authority vindicates power and creates conformity and cohesion. Party leaders are trusted in the determination and formation of government. The essence of democratic government lies solely with the nomination of trusted party faithful into positions of authority to legislate, implement party policy and manifesto and deliver dividends of democracy to the people. The sacrifice is huge and so a consensus ad idem must be met to create a primus inter pares at both houses of assembly. The Senate President must have the confidence of the party in and out of the National Assembly and so must the Speaker.

    The Speaker of the federal house of assembly in the APC has secured such assent. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has the support of the majority albeit a few dissents (though negligible and good for any democratic process) have had their voices heard. The senatorial presidential race is however portending danger. A disgruntled Bukola Saraki is looking to the opposition party to help him secure a majority in his quest for victory in the race for Senate President. What if he gets his way and he becomes Senate President will ambition be made of sterner stuff or will ambition have planted a seed of discord within the party? How does he forge ahead in leadership? Will his power have authority or will he have authority and his powers eroded? As an experienced Young Turk, is his ambition, like Julius Ceaser’s or unlike it? Will he scuttle the change ideals and programmes he deserted the PDP for or will he have compromised his ideology and so become an unreliable

    leader and third most powerful Nigerian? The party is now being polarised and huge sentiments are rumoured within the ranks and file of leadership as to the value of such an admired person who brought hope and drive to their leadership being young vibrant agile intelligent and full of promise. As in the tale of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser, is ambition going to deal the APC a deadly blow?

    We must all wrestle with our conscience in this common sense revolution built solidly from scratch to overcome tyranny, oppression, victimisation, repression, want, stagnation, insecurity, corruption and many ills to develop a new nation. Will the race for Senate President destroy our humble beginnings or will common sense prevail?

    I am a believer in party supremacy. Towing the party line can never be to the detriment of a minority group or individual. On the contrary, it creates strength from the dissenting voice. Working outside of the party is blackmail and as a defector sends a wrong signal. The position of Senate President is sacrosanct and many have voiced and opined privately the raison detre of a former defector being considered to such powerful sensitive position. The wanton disregard for party supremacy begs this question on the lips of party faithful and the inability of Senator Bukola Saraki to conform leaves sour grapes on the lips and minds of the leadership. Trust is key. What is his hurry and why can’t he wait for why must he be Senate President at all cost? If he wins within the APC caucus, then his ambition has been made of sterner stuff but if he goes outside the APC in parliament and secures victory from his former colleagues, he throws a clog into the wheel of change and compromises the new executive in its quest to build a transparent viral incorruptible government. His ambition challenges the doctrine of separation of powers ….his ambition rubbishes the whole efforts garnered to bring about change. He becomes a liability so incalculable and undemocratic he deserves expulsion from the party.

    Let no observer of the 8th Assembly formation doubt the unscrupulous behaviour of this intelligent promising Young Turk and find justification in what political feat he is trying to achieve. The doctrine of collective responsibility should be strictly adhered to at leadership levels. Decision into an exalted office of the Senate President should not be a matter of discord, acrimony, individual ambition or selfish jingoistic pride. The price for ambition beyond reason is high. Julius Caesar paid with life; let the lessons of Caesar be learnt an adopted to build a viral vibrant democracy devoid of personal interest ambition or self absolutism. Humility must prevail, pride buried and hope garnered for opportunity beckons on all selfless contributors into positions that will create great chances that will propel our new Republic to heights for the common good of all. Let our common sense revolution be our benefit. Let our party be united for the common good.

    There should be a limit to ambition or is it over ambition. Saraki’s over ambition seeks to bring down the house. It has exposed Saraki as a desperate power monger who cares only about the room he occupies not the foundation that holds the building.

    ‘Let no observer of the 8th Assembly formation doubt the unscrupulous behaviour of this intelligent promising Young Turk and find justification in what political feat he is trying to achieve. The doctrine of collective responsibility should be strictly adhered to at leadership levels’

     

  • Varsity teachers back Saraki for Senate President

    Political science teachers from Nigerian universities and Kwara Elite Group have thrown their weight behind former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki for the Senate President.

    The university lecturers spoke in Malete, Moro local government area, at the end of a roundtable conference on the Presidency of the 8th Senate. The conference was organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU).

    The university teachers came from Redeemers University, Mowe, Ogun State, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ondo State University, Akungba Akoko, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and host KWASU.

    Dr. Jeremiah Omotola, also of the Department of Political Science, Redeemers’ University, discussed how Senator Saraki’s antecedents could positively and negatively shape the contest.

    He listed Saraki’s antecedents as sterling performance while at the Budget Office in the Presidency.

    Dr Omotola said Saraki’s virtues include exceptional wisdom, maturity, and dexterity, which were deployed to stabilise the Governors Forum as the Chairman of the strategic inter-governmental relations body.

    The stability witnessed during Senator Bukola Saraki’s tenure, according to Dr. Omotola, show-cased the rich human relations credentials of Senator Bukola.

    He also highlighted the central role played by Bukola in successfully managing the process of defection of the 5 break-away governors from the Peoples Democratic Party.

  • Saraki is best, says Nwaoboshi

    Saraki is best, says Nwaoboshi

    THE ambition of Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to clinch the position of Senate President when the Eight Senate is inaugurated next week has received a boost from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator-elect Peter Nwaoboshi.

    Nwaoboshi, who was elected to represent Delta North, described Saraki as a detribalised parliamentarian with wide administrative experience.

    He spoke to reporters on the sideline of the one-day retreat for lawmakers-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.

    The senator-elect described Saraki as “a principled and firm lawmaker who cannot be dictated to anyhow.”

    He noted that Saraki was able to hold all the governors together irrespective of political party affiliation when he was the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

    He said: “We must quit playing with mundane things. At this point in our national history and in the bid to further entrench the ethos of democracy, as it concerns the Principle of Separation of Powers, we all agreed that competent and capable hands must be elected or put in position of authority.

    “In that respect, Senator Saraki is the most qualified to occupy the seat of the Senate President. He is a detribalised Nigerian. He was once a chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and in that position, he was able to hold the various governors from different political parties together.

    “He is not somebody that anybody can just pick up and dictate to. This means he will not allow any external force to dictate to us in the Senate. He has done it before, even in Kwara State.”