Before Senator Saraki is crucified

The election of Senator Bukola Saraki as President of the 8th National Assembly has continued to generate outright condemnation by a section of the Nigerian press, some public analysts and top politicians. Some of them have described his role in the matter as treacherous; a respected politician from the South West even misfired by blackmailing the Senate President and the Honourable Speaker as being sponsored by oil subsidy barons.

A critical analysis of the situation will hold the APC leadership responsible for the emerging crisis in the party. The rejection of the zoning arrangement is a major cause of the crisis. It was expected that with the emergence of the president from the North West and the vice president from the South West, the North East and the North Central zones would automatically produce the Senate President and the Honourable Speaker between them, based on the outcome of the last elections. By this, the candidacy of Hon. Gbajabiamila would suffer a natural death. The insistence on the respected Honourable member by some leaders of the party to be the speaker was misplaced. The zoning arrangement must also give consideration to parent political associations of members of the party, i.e. CPC, ACN, ANPP and the new PDP.

The party appeared not bothered about the interest of the members from new PDP. The general belief was that since the senate presidency had been zoned to the North Central zone, and with Benue State producing some of the past Senate presidents, Bukola Saraki would automatically become the choice of the party. The later decision to choose Senator Lawan as the highest ranking senator was out of place. The Vice President, Prof. Osibanjo emerged based on religious and geographical zoning consideration. He is today the NO.2 man in the country and was never a Chief Executive of any local or state government. The party has also not explained the adoption of open-ballot during the mock election for the nomination of the Senate President instead of secret ballot used for the nomination of the Hon. Speaker.

The role of Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, was also not appropriate. She showed openly her support for Senator Lawan not minding the implication on the supposed neutrality of her husband. The other party to the dispute, i.e the 'like minds group' would therefore have no confidence in the decision of the National Executive of the party dominated by Senator Tinubu's loyalists. She should not have been so prominent in any camp based on the exalted position of her husband in the party.

The explanation offered by Senator David Mark for supporting Senator Saraki is also note worthy. According to him, it was one of the three options opened to them. Also worthy of note, is that the two contesting Senators lobbied all the Senators-elect, not minding party affiliation. Moreover, Senator Saraki was nominated and seconded by APC Senators elect.

Also the APC Senators present at the Chamber all voted for Senator Ndume and not Ekweremadu. Why are we then talking of anti-party action?

I wish to therefore, sincerely advise the APC to embrace the leadership of the two chambers as elected. The party should realise that the change revolution is not solely the responsibility and involvement of only APC members. It can only succeed by accommodating the interests of all Nigerians, including those in opposition. The occupation of the office of the deputy Senate President by someone from the, main opposition party should be part of the sacrifice the APC 'will offer for a better Nigeria. While it is accepted this is the first time this is happening, we should also not forget that this is also the first time an opposition party defeated a party controlled by a sitting Federal Government. I do not believe any Nigerian occupying a sensitive political position will work against the interest of the Nigerian masses under the change revolution. The APC should also be mindful of the fact that it cannot enjoy winners take all in all ramifications; particularly, in a situation where PDP has about 45 per cent of the total votes cast in the Presidential election and with 49 Senators. It should in fact strive to attract more members from other parties by considering some of them for political offices. Such action can result in mass-decamping that will see the likes of Senators Mark, Ekweremadu and Mr. Olisa Metuh becoming APC members.

The party should not allow opportunists looking for relevance again, like Mr. Ayo Opadokun, to hijack the crisis for their own personal hidden agenda.

The recent campaign of hatred by him and his cohorts against the Senate President would not pave way for amiable resolution of the crisis. For instance, it is difficult to understand why series of allegations are now being made against Dr. Saraki, particularly on issues related to the defunct Societe Generale Bank and Trade Bank. Where were they when he was leading the members of the new PDP to join APC? Why was he not rejected on the claim that he was corrupt?

The Senate President remains innocent until he is convicted. He was actively involved in all the presidential campaign train of APC in all nooks and crannies of this country.

The records are available to show that Dr. Bukola Saraki's tenure as the Kwara State Governor witnessed landmark and unique achievements that none of the self acclaimed "Progressive Governors" can beat. These include – the International Aviation College, World Class Diagnostic Centre, a Metropolitan Square that can host any big event, commercial farming, first flyover in the North Central geo-political zone, the fastest growing State University, a football academy, clearing of arrears of gratuity and prompt payment of pension and workers' salaries. We should also not forget how he successfully managed affairs of the Governors' Forum when he was the chairman.

I wish at this juncture to appeal to Kwarans to understand the situation Alhaji Lai Mohammed has found himself in the whole matter. We have all been proud of him as Kwarans. He has been performing his duties maturely and professionally. We should forgive him for rushing at commenting on the matter. I believe he has realised this that is why he is apparently restraining himself in making further comments on the matter.

Arising from the above, it is crystal clear that Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President would never work against progressive policies of the Buhari's administration, including the war against corruption. He would in fact initiate and support pro-active policies and programmes in the senate.

*Sanni-Ebo is of Kaspod Office and writes from Kabba Street, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin.

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