Guest columnist Forging ahead together

On the 8th of June, 2015 a landmark event took place in the National Assembly of our dear country, similar to the 'change witnessed' on the 28th of March, 2015, where the National Assembly elected leaders of choice to both chambers and the well reverend Senator, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, from Kwara Central Senatorial District emerged as the Senate President. Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki is one of our party leaders having as much stake as Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is cheap thinking to harbor thoughts that a man who worked tirelessly to deliver Kwara to APC, at so much expense dumping the ruling party, for a party in embryo would be rooting for the destruction of such party. He gives financial Assistance to enable North Central and even beyond to ensure the victory of APC in the entire zone. Saraki is a man with conviction and the symbol of change the whole nation clamored for and the President himself paid tribute to his effort as the coordinator of the nPDP to APC that eventually led to the victory we have today.

It is bizarre to imagine that a people's candidate will be suppressed for the wish of one man in the party. What then is the Change we are talking about? Insinuation of Saraki and the Clerk of the House snubbing the President is only but wicked and perilous. The clerk of the House has a duty to perform to protect the NASS institution no matter the personality of people involved and this he did.

We are convinced that Senator Bukola Saraki did not snub the president or any party leadership. It was indeed inauguration time, not scheming time, even the president had sent a proclamation message that was read before the proceeding, why not those APC leaders have the acclaimed meeting overnight like the PDP. Instead of having it clash with the inauguration time and sold to some members as a meeting called by the President who was not even in attendance. The change we preach is not the changing of scheduled time. The inauguration is a National activity not a party activity.

Why aren't people talking about the wish of one man, called Tinubu, to nominate the Vice-President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representative from one group? Isn't that equal to holding the president hostage? Leaders of our dear party must rise to ensure that the President is not caged.

Also the party must be careful not to create scenarios presenting our amiable President as speaking from both mouths having promised not to interfere with the autonomy of the National Assembly and to work with whoever is the Senate President but would support whatever decision the party takes.

We commend Mr.President for holding true to his words of noninterference with the politics of the National Assembly even in the façade of inordinate pressure to act otherwise. We respect him as a man of prodigious principle.

While many are made to see Saraki as the evil mastermind, there seems to be less thought about Karma which is constant and unforgiving. In 2011 Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu aligned with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan against his party's candidate.

It is an open secret that some leaders rooted for some schemes that are unconstitutional in the build up to the election of the Senate President, promoted faulty election process labeled 'Primaries' and adopted zoning formula not entrenched in the party's constitution. It was openly reiterated by the party National Chairman that such zoning or any other arrangement apart from what is done in the National Assembly is not in the party's constitution.

In political view, we reiterate our support for Abubakar Bukola Saraki as his emergence is only but a glue to solidify our dear party as the victory of APC wasn't without his input, classified as early joiner or late joiners; it is crystal clear that many bricks were used to build this house. The ACN, CPC, ANPP and nPDP, with each of the party having benefitted from the merger but for nPDP which up to this moment was yet to benefit. The president came from the CPC block, the Vice president from the ACN block, the National Chairman of the party from the ANPP block, therefore the emergence of Senator Bukola as the senate president is a show of inculcation and recognition of the source where APC draw strengths.

Senator Bukola Saraki, having served as a Special Assistant to President Obasanjo on Budgeting, two terms Governor of Kwara State, the Chairman of the Governors Forum, and being returned as a second term Senator has a good credential to chair the Senate. He was instrumental to having a stable APC, from the Party leadership to reconciling members when the time were tough, Senator Saraki is widely accepted and will benefit the country a great deal in delivering the dividend of democracy to the masses.

We wish to use this medium to beseech some party leaders to caution their utterances which is capable of destroying the image of our dear party. Allegations by the party's spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has to be guarded in cognizance of the fact that Senator Bukola Saraki is also a leader of our dear party. And the PRO's comments about Kwara politics have to be well researched as he is not sure if Lai Muhammed is a card carrying member of APC in Kwara State, worst still his PVC is domicile in Lagos State, as such does not give him a locus standi to talk carelessly on Kwara Politics. He better concentrate on the Lagos local politics or better go to learn how to project the image of a National Party as against his present job of projecting a regional party and or a regional leader.

This show of inexperience by some party leaders can be forgiven being the first time the party has to deal with situations like this; however it will be fair that we do not wash our dirty linen in public. Concerted efforts must be made to move ahead from here for the benefit of the masses who voted our party to bring genuine dividend of democracy and not for the show of power scrimmage.

Our party will do well to allow the president govern as promised and not destroy his hard earned image by dragging the presidency into matters that he has obviously made known his stance; to work with whoever emerges as the Senate President.

The president is well aware of the loyalty of Ilorin, it was General Tunde Idiagbon before and now, it is Senator Bukola Saraki, the President has every cause to rejoice as the square peg is right in the square hole.

We salute the courage of the 8th National Assembly Members for the maturity displayed in electing a leader they believed in irrespective of party affiliation.

We also wish to enjoin the 51 law makers from our party who accidentally missed the election to give full support and cooperation to the chosen one so as to make true the promise of our party.

We appreciate the efforts of everyone who has given so much to have a day like this most especially His Excellency, Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed who stood gallantly behind our dear leader.

Long Live ABSLF

Long Live APC

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Being an address delivered by the leader of Abubakar Bukola Saraki Leaership forum, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape.

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