President of Senate @Bukolasaraki now addressing the special plenary session of the Federation Council of @Russia pscp.tv/w/bfn5GjFQWEtk…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told Senate President, Bukola Saraki not to be afraid if he has no skeletons in his cupboard.
The commission insisted that it must go on with the probe on the tenure of Saraki as governor of Kwara State between 203 and 2011.
A statement issued by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Tony Orilade, said the commission had the sacred mandate of eradicating corruption from the system without protecting any sacred cow.
The statement said the commission would conduct a legitimate forensic inquiry into Saraki’s tenure as a governor.
The EFCC said it had taken note of the reactions of Saraki to the commission’s inquiries regarding his earnings as Kwara State governor as well as on the quality of his financial stewardship in the Senate, saying that while it was his prerogative to ventilate his views on the matter as he deemed fit, the commission took great exception at the desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution.
The statement said the commission found the attempt by Saraki to tie its inquest to his International Human Rights Commission, IHRC appointment and his approaching life out of power as misleading, knowing too well that the background to its current inquiries reached several years back.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC is obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space and has supremely pursued this duty without ill-will or malice against anyone. It is in the interest of the public and for Saraki’s personal good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to be so,” it stated.
It added that Saraki’s probe was guided by the overriding public interest, saying that all the instances in which the EFCC have had cause to sleuth into his financial activities either as a former governor or President of the Senate were driven by overarching public interest and due process of the law.
“Against the background of the possession of indicting petitions and other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with the commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant. The distinguished Senate President has no need to fret so long as he has no skeletons in his cupboard,” the EFCC said.
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and members of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council met in Abuja on Wednesday night to strategise ahead of the commencement of the party’s presidential campaign.
The meeting, which was held at the PDP Presidential Campaign office (Legacy House) was attended by notable members of the council.
A correspondent reports that the meeting was the first Atiku held with the members of the campaign council since they were named a few days after the former Vice-President won the party’s presidential nomination.
Those who attended the meeting included the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus; Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, who is also the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who is the zonal coordinator of the campaign for North-West; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, zonal coordinator, North-East; Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, zonal coordinator, North-Central; Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, zonal coordinator, South-South; and a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who is the zonal coordinator for the South-West.
Others were the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, zonal coordinator, South-East; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Kabiru Turaki, Chairman, Legal Matters; and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, who is the Chairman, Fund Raising Committee.
The meeting, which started around 9.15pm, ended around 12.28am on Thursday.
Sources at the meeting said Atiku formally informed the members of his desire to run a broad-based campaign devoid of acrimony and that he would want the campaign to be issue-based.
It was also gathered that issues of logistics, funding and how to fill other positions in the campaign council were discussed.
Punch correspondent gathered that a former minister (name withheld) from Kwara State was tipped as a spokesperson for the campaign council.
However, the majority of the attendees were said to have accepted the suggestions but regretted that the person might not be allowed to do the job to avoid the party being accused of nepotism.
The source said, “We have all accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism. That’s why we said the person being suggested as spokesman should not do it. Though he is a good candidate and has the ability to do the job, his state of origin worked against him.
“This is because Saraki who is the DG of the campaign council is from Kwara State while the National Publicity Secretary of the party is from Kogi State. The two states used to be one and both are from the North-Central . That’s why we are beaming our searchlight on another person.”
It was also gathered that the meeting told Atiku to collapse his campaign structure into the PDP Presidential campaign council, as the leadership of the party insisted that there must not be any duplication.
In preparation for the kick-off of the campaign, the party has started the renovation of the Legacy Building, an action that had made some officers relocate from their official offices.
It was gathered that the majority of the officers of the campaign council like Atiku, Saraki and the coordinators would have different offices within the building.
Secondus and members of the National Working Committee of the party were also mandated to call a meeting of the party’s National Executive next week where the budget for the presidential primary would be approved.
The NEC meeting is also expected to ratify the appointment of members of the campaign council.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, announced minor changes in the leadership of four standing committees.
By this development, Sen. Lawal Gumau (APC-Bauchi), who was elected into the Senate in August, is now the Chairman of the Committee on Federal Character.
Gumau took over from Sen. Tijani Kaura (APC-Zamfara North), who has been moved to the Police Affairs Committee as Chairman.
Kaura replaces Sen. Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina South), who now heads the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity.
Former Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) is now the Chairman of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service, formerly headed by Sen Paulker Emmanuel (PDP-Bayelsa Centra).
The Senate President Bukola Saraki has said Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is suffering from diarrhea of the mouth.
Punch reports that this was in response to El-Rufai’s critical comments of the Senate President.
The Kaduna State Governor had alleged that some of the names of defectors announced by Saraki at the plenary on Tuesday had not given their notice of defection.
He had said Nigeria has never had a bad Senate leadership like the one led by Saraki.
We have never had a bad Senate leadership like this one by Bukola Saraki. Some people whose names were mentioned among those who defected said they never authorized it.
We know those who cannot win elections in their homes. Many of them found themselves in the National Assembly by riding on the back of Buhari.
Some of them won the elections because of the presidential and parliamentary elections held on the same day.
Saraki, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said:
El-Rufai is a known careless talker. He is a man suffering from diarrhoea of the mouth. You (one of our correspondents) report the National Assembly on a daily basis. Is it possible for the name of a senator to be announced as having defected without him or her signing the letter communicating same to the Senate President?
We challenge el-Rufai to mention the name of any senator whose name was announced without his or her consent. He (el-Rufai) is a divisive element, an expert hero worshipper and noisemaker.
He worshipped (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo once the way he is now worshipping (President Muhammadu) Buhari, and now he is on the forefront of abusing the former President. It will soon be the turn of Buhari to be rubbished by el-Rufai. He did the same to ex-Vice President Atiku (Abubakar).
PDP, is now the majority in the Hallowed red chamber of the National Assembly, as the following senators have written to the Senate leadership informing them of their intention to defect to the PDP
Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki on his way to honour Police Invitation this morning, his path was blocked by Policemen!!!
Full List Here;
1. Rabi’u Kwankwaso (Kano-Central)
Already displaced by his State Governor, Granduje. He hasn't stepped into Kano State for the past 2 years..
2. Dino Melaye (Kogi-West)
Already displaced by his State Governor, Bello. He can't win any election in Kogi State.
3. Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo-South)
Displaced by His Governor Ajimobi. He cannot get return ticket under APC.
4.Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo-Central)
The same as No. 3 above.
5.Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara-South)
Anywhere Saraki faces..So non issue.
6.Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna-North)
Already displaced by his State Governor Elrufai. Can't get ticket under APC.
7. Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun-Central)
Already replaced by his Governor Amosu. No chance of getting return ticket under APC.
8. Usman Nafada (Gombe)
Displaced during APC state convention in Gombe State. He can't get return ticket under APC.
9. Ibrahim Dambaba (Sokoto)
Wants to follow his Governor to PDP.
10.Mohammed Shittu (Jigawa)
Displaced by his State Governor.
11.Isa Misau (Bauchi)
Displaced by his state governor.
12.Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi)
The same as No 10 Above.
13.Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara)
Anywhere Saraki goes.
14. Barnabas Gemade (Benue).
Displaced by George Akume faction of APC. Can't get ticket under APC.
15.Senator Abdul-Azeez Murtala-Nyako (Adamawa)
Displaced by the Governor, Bindow. Can't get ticket under APC.
So from the above analysis, it is all about political survivals and has nothing to do with opposing Buhari, unlike in 2015, where people defected because of Jonathan.
NOTE: all these people have PDP leaders servicing the party since 2015. Most of them have similar ambitions.
In those states, doors have been opened for some and closed for some, how they will manage the katakaka that will come before and after primaries will determine.
Senate President Bukola Saraki read the letter. Immediately, the lawmakers became peeved and engaged in verbal war to express their support or disapproval of the nominations.
The rowdiness took several minutes before the presiding officer, Saraki, calmed the situation.
First to fire a shot was Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who raised a point of order and cited Section 14(3) of 1999 Constitution.
He argued that most appointments of chairmen of boards by the Buhari administration were without consideration to the principle of federal character which stipulates that no geo-political zone should be marginalised or neglected.
Ekweremadu further insisted that in the current administration, appointments were not evenly distributed and coming from only a particular zone. He noted that the situation is totally unacceptable as it is bias.
But swiftly, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan in his defence posited that the Buhari administration, does not entertain any partiality in appointments. He said there is fairness in all appointments. This seriously infuriated the lawmakers and the entire session was thrown into chaos, as Senators were openly seen shouting and pointing at each other, in protest. There was near fisticuffs in the Chambers.
On the confirmation of federal civil service commission board, Senators Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) and Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) who relied on Order 15 of the Senate rules urged the Senate to put the appointments on hold.
But Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his intervention said the allegation of lopsided appointments was speculative.
Saraki, however, mandated the Senator Tijani Kaura led Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs to immediately investigate the matters and report back to Senate in plenary, next week Tuesday, July 24.
As early as 6:35am, supporters of the Senate president had besieged the Ilorin International Airport and adjoining surroundings to await his arrival. Motorists and other road users had hectic time on the Ilorin-Ogbomosho Road as Saraki’s supporters lined both sides of the road; with vehicles stretching for about five kilometres.
Although Saraki’s flight didn’t arrive until about 4.17pm, the supporters kept themselves alive with dance and music from various live bands. He was accompanied on the flight by Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, former speaker of the state assembly and chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Razaq Atunwa as well as a former presidential spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe.
Speaking with newsmen, thereafter, Saraki described his three-year trial as tough but expressed satisfaction that his followers never doubted his innocence as he had told them severally. But, he refused to comment on what he will do overpressure by some of his followers to lead them out of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He only asked newsmen not to ‘worry’ or ‘push’ him over the matter.
“As I said, don’t worry, don’t push me, I will call at a time and I will tell Nigerians,” said Saraki.
On his trial and the home visit, he said:
“It’s been a long journey for all my own people in the state, and we thank the Almighty God for this. I want to thank all of them who did not at any time waver. They believed in my innocence and supported me throughout those three very tough years and it was a great feeling for all of us.
“It is my first homecoming; to thank them for all the support they have given me and the victory and for the fact that the truth prevailed and justice was done. This visit is thanking the people for the support they have given for years.
“As I always say, time will come for everything, a time will come I will tell people where I am, what I’m doing. For now, it is just to thank the people of the state because the last three years have been tough and they are still committed and remain and I have to appreciate that. I appreciate that.”
Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday led a delegation of Senators to Russia on a three-day parliamentary visit.
According to the Twitter handle of the Senate President,
“The visit is aimed at deepening legislative best practices and further strengthening the relationship between both countries.”
The delegation, which included, Senators Godswill Akpabio, Olusola Adeyeye, Monsurat Sunmonu, Duro Faseyi, Obinna Ogba and Ibrahim A Danbaba were received by Amb. Steve Davies Ugbah, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia.
Saraki on Wednesday was captured on video addressing the Russian Senate.
See the video and photos below:
UPDATE: The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Distinguished Senators on the parliamentary delegation have arrived in Russia. The delegation was received by Amb. Steve Davies Ugbah, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia. #SarakiInRussia pic.twitter.com/4yvJcYkijo
PICTURES: On his arrival in Russia, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, met with Senator Rafail Zinurov, the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia's Committee on International Affairs. #SarakiInRussia pic.twitter.com/ilnGksrumA
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