Editors note: Barely one month after coming into power,
the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been plunged into
crisis following the political scheming of Bukola Saraki and
Yakubu Dogara. Having started on a poor note, is there any
hope that the eight National Assembly will make positive
impacts on Nigerians?
In this piece, Kess Ewubare focuses on the emergence of
Saraki as the president of the eight Senate and what future it
holds.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely
those of the original author. These views and opinions do
not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or
other contributors.
Story highlights:
– A treacherous win
– Ambitions can make you Senate president, but cannot
keep you there
– A disaster waiting to happen
– (Naij.com) On June 9, the battle for the leadership of the
8th National Assembly came to an unprecedented end with
the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki representing Kwara
central as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara, who
represents Bogoro/ Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in
Bauchi state, as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The election of the duo has thrown the All progressives
Congress (APC) in a state of confusion as the party maintains
that neither Saraki nor Dogara is its preferred candidate.
But as controversial as the election of Yakubu Dogara is, he’s
is less of a sham compared to that of Bukola Saraki, who
rode to victory in the absence of Senator Ahmad Lawan, his
rival. Dogara may claim that he defeated Femi
Gbajabiamilla, who represents Surulere federal
constituency, Lagos state, in a keenly contested election

The same however, cannot be said of the victory of Saraki,
which was more of a selection than an election. No wonder
the former Kwara state governor opened his mouth in glee
to celebrate his treacherous victory, knowing fully well that
in a keenly contested election, he stood no chance at all.
Now, he has emerged as the president of the Senate against
the decision of APC leaders. He was also elected when most
Senators from the APC were at the International Conference
Centre waiting to hold a meeting with President
Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the election of the Senate
president and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Since his infamous win, Bukola Saraki has been gallivanting
the country struggling to buy legitimacy for his back door
victory. He started by reaching out to the APC leadership and
his colleagues opposed to his controversial selection.
Intimating the public about Saraki’s peace initiatives, Senator
Rafiu Ibrahim, a loyalist to the Senate president told the
Punch on June 15 that:
“We are currently meeting with our colleagues in the Senate.
Apart from the fact that the Senate President has been
meeting with those who are aggrieved, we, members of the
Like Minds Senators, are also engaging them on one-on-one
basis.
“We are also meeting with our party leadership and I think
the peace moves are achieving good result. It is in the
interest of everybody that we have a united Senate.”
On June 20, Saraki embarked on another peace mission by
visiting former president, Olusegun Obasanjo in his
Abeokuta, Ogun State Hilltop residence, in an apparent
move to douse the tension caused by his cheap victory.
Sources privy to the meeting between Saraki and Obasanjo
said the Senate president was in Abeokuta to beg Obasanjo
to reconcile him with President Muhammadu Buhari and his
party.
Although the party leaders say they have accepted his
emergence, this has done little to heal the wounds of
aggrieved party members who have demanded for the
immediate resignation of the party’s National chairman,
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun over allege complicity in the
process that saw Saraki emerge as Senate president.
No doubt, Saraki’s selfish ambitions will further dent the
image of the members of the legislature who are viewed by
many Nigerians as more interested in jumbo allowances
than making legislations that advance the course of the
country.
It takes more than ambition to succeed as Senate president
in a country that has lost trust in its legislators both at the
state and federal level.
It takes more than ambition to lead other Senators
representing various constituencies of the country and pilot
the National Assembly to make essential contributions to the
nations development.
The sterling example exhibited by Senator David Mark who
oversaw the Senate for eight years in a manner that was
befitting of honour, shows that selfish ambition devoid of
experience, willingness to serve and political acumen cannot
guarantee success, as in the case of Saraki.
While the Seventh House of Representatives will be
remembered for fighting and defeating leadership
imposition and intimidation among others.
The Seventh Senate will ever radiate of the maturity
displayed by David Mark who ensured that the Senate
confirmed to the sterling standard of behavior expected of it
by Nigerians.
Senator Bukola Saraki has succeeded in winning the war by
outwitting his opponent to become Senate president, but he
will always be faced with the battle of trying sell his
legitimacy first to his colleagues in the chamber and to
Nigerians, at the expense overseeing credible laws that
should impact the lives of Nigerians. Added to the future
wars that await him on his hallowed seat.
From the way Bukola Saraki has started, no one needs a
soothsayer to tell that his reign as Senate president will
surely be a disaster.

www.naij.com/470634-why-sarakis-senate-presidency-is-a-recipe-for-disaster.html

hmmm

....

i pray that they will reconcile asap and get to work