ATest of Saraki's Leadership
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki appears to be undergoing a test of his leadership skills, both in politics and administration, writes Hammed Shittu To describe the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki as one of the most challenged politicians in the present experience is spot on. He has fought battles – good battles, perhaps, the type alien to his years of political experience, either in terms of administration or politics and one by one, he has been surmounting his challenges. Whilst some of these challenges have not completely gone away, the few he has confronted and decimated showed his capacity to address difficulties and in the face of those, remain calm and unruffled. The screening and subsequent confirmation of the ministerial nominees, who have so far appeared before the senate are a proof of Saraki’s ability and most importantly, the result to expect from the Senate he plans to lead for the next four years, if God wills. Not only has he shown experience and maturity, his understanding of the issues and the attendant political dynamics that have strewn the process are seen in many quarters as indicators of yet another auspicious senate under the leadership of a man so determined to exemplify change. It, however, goes without saying that the battle that preceded the attainment of that office was not a child’s place – certainly not in the face of the seemingly intractable hurdles designed and piled before him. And with some high wire politics that disconnected certain interests and re- aligned others, Saraki’s ability to waltz through the difficult terrain of the threats to the seat of the senate president, was in another breath, a positive indication of the promises ahead. In such a short period as the President of the 8th Senate, not just that Saraki has been taken to the cleaners for unintended public scrutiny; his family has also had a scathing whiff of the unsavoury consequences of his ambition. His wife, Toyin has had to visit the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption. The commission, sources say, is not done with her still. But the justifiable tendency to see the political undertone in such development was put to test when the moves to probe husband and wife came over four years after they had left office and weeks after Saraki had “smartly” emerged the president of the senate against the will and preferences of some persons believed to be powerful within the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). That, unfortunately, was just a prelude. The real battle soon followed. Allegations of false declaration of assets was immediately picked up against Saraki, a majority of which were tied to his days in office in 2003, 12 years after he had moved on to other challenges in his career as a politician. However, probing a matter of 12 years is not the thrust of the debate amongst the discerning, the manner in which the charges were allegedly conscripted and the process of prosecution muddled up. In an attempt to allegedly bring him in at all cost or compel him to stand down as senate president, some of the laws governing the Code of Conduct Bureau tribunal were allegedly bypassed and in some cases ignored outright to expedite his prosecution. In the process, his bench warrant was sought and granted and it almost became a scandal that the nation’s number four citizen was almost at large, somewhat. Eventually, he appeared before the tribunal, pleaded not guilty, the warrant was suspended and the hearing in the matter postponed till later this month. Interestingly, all along, the impression has been that the presidency was behind his travails because President Muhammadu Buhari did not want him as the senate president. But what was to follow for Saraki was not only humiliating; it particularly sought to challenge his leadership in his home zone of Ilorin, Kwara State, where his family had held sway for over 40 years. It was during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Indeed, while the celebration across the world might have come and gone, the intrigues that characterised it in Ilorin, would linger a little longer amongst the sons and daughters of the ancient town of Ilorin. It was at the Ilorin Eid praying ground located along the Adewole Estate area of the city. Many had come from far and near and had assembled early to be part of the two rakats prayers for this year’s Sallah celebration. And for the first time in the political history of Kwara, the leadership of the Saraki dynasty was threatened by a development orchestrated by suspected hoodlums, believed to have been sponsored by external forces to cause confusion at the Eid praying ground. Yet, the reasons for the ugly situation were not unconnected with certain local developments, aided by external factors. The non-payment of accumulated salaries of workers especially those at the local government councils and primary school teachers were largely said to be responsible for the show of shame by the suspected hoodlums that stormed the praying ground. Among those in attendance at the praying ground were the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammed Bashr, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, former Minister of Youths Development and Sport, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and other chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC). Also, there were chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like chairman, Federal Character Commission, Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem. Prior to the celebration, there had been speculations about alleged plans to attack some government functionaries at the praying ground over non-payment of council workers’ salaries. The development had caused a lot of tension among the residents and even at the government circles in the state. This had prompted the state government to issue a statement over the N5billion bailout sought from the Central Bank of Nigeria that was to be used to pay the council workers and primary school teachers but is yet to be cleared. But non-payment of salaries early enough by the state government particularly to Muslims had created apprehension in the state. Government in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Abdulwahaab Oba, however condemned the attack. Also, the state council of chiefs led by its chairman and Emir of Ilorin, Gambari, later paid homages to Governor Ahmed and Saraki, where the emirate pledged support to them. The Emir described the disruption at the praying ground as an offence against God. Ahmed said despite the fact that the September allocation had not been received from the federation account, he had paid the state civil servants and facilitated loan for local government councils to offset local government workers’ salaries. At the visit to Saraki, Gambari, who was not oblivious of developments, warned against the persecution of Saraki, saying the trial of Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not the change mantra of the APC that Nigerians bargained for. He said the trial was to upset Nigerians and that "It would be unwise to disguise under political altar to cow perceived political enemy." Saraki, in his response, thanked the monarchs for their support and solidarity. "I am greatly honoured and at the same time humbled to receive this visit from our royal fathers in my domain. The last time I had this honour was when I was still the governor of Kwara State. There is nothing more for me to add because you have spoken. You have spoken from your years of experience as a father, and as someone who has headed a very great arm of government, the judiciary. "Your words of wisdom and encouragement will continue to give me great confidence. As you rightly put it, it is a challenging time, not only for us the politicians, but generally for the country. Rest assured that with your support and your prayers, Insha Allah, we will overcome it because the entire people of this country know that this is not about prosecution, but persecution." So far, the Saraki leadership has exhibited some impressive showing, including the ability to hold down a productive senate in national and collective interest. Although the matter at the tribunal is yet to be dispensed with, that he has already pleaded not guilty at his first appearance is seen as an indication of a man who already has his act together. Thus, whilst he may not know what might be out there for him, he appears poised to find it and in good time.


www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-test-of-saraki-s-leadership

Saraki the traitor.

May his road be rough and bumpy.

Saraki remains the only man in the house that can lead us to the promise land. We all need to support him, on behalf of all the youths of this country, we saying rule us well till 2019.

OP, this write up is terrible.
how does one read this?

I forsee a rough road ahead of him, hw he wil weather it lies in his hands. Ask me if the position of APC is right, I totally agree with their position. You cannot be bigger than the party, ur ambition should not surpass that of party interest. He might have achieved his ambition, but the war ahead might need more than a gun, and if he overcomes this," I believe this is the highest politican seat bukola wil ever attain". some guys in PDP may support him to achieve his aim today, these same dude wil one day tag him traitor.