Of late, due to the recent events in the National Assembly, Nigerians have been inundated with tales of how powerful, influential and large political followers, the office of the Senate President attracts during and after office. Some claimed, as a member of the NEC of his party, he can influence what happens within the party etc. And also the party cannot discipline him without that party imploding or dividing. That as a Number three man in the order of precedence of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, he may well be more powerful that the Vice President who is constitutionally ranked number 2 (weird?).

In order to unravel this mystery and misconception surrounding the office, let us do a retrospection and dig a little into the recent past, to x-ray how the past 6 Senate Presidents fared politically during and after Office Since the birth of 4th Republic.

Evan(s) Enwerem ( 1999-1999):
The first president of the Senate in the Fourth Republic, Senator Evan(s) Enwerem emerged under the same controversial circumstances as Senator Bukola Saraki. Enwerem became Senate President against the desire of the majority of his party members in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who in a straw poll had chosen Senator Chuba Okadigbo. Okadigbo had days after his emergence as senator-elect traversed the country visiting every senator-elect to canvass support for his ambition to be Senate President. But days before the leadership contest, President Olusegun Obasanjo moved against him and used the minority parties, the Alliance for Democracy, AD, All Peoples Party, APP and a sprinkling of PDP senators. In the end, Enwerem triumphed principally because Obasanjo backed him against the desire of the majority of PDP senators.

Senator Evan Enwerem was seen then as the proverbial cat with "nine lives." For a few months , he resisted all efforts to force him out of office following allegation of perjury and age falsification.

But when his angry colleagues demanded that he vacated his plum position as President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Thursday, 18 November 1999 he knew the end was near. Although he fought to hold on to the office, he was floored. And, his position forcefully taken from him.

End Result For Enwerem: As an "ordinary senator" he was said to be passive throughout the remainder of his mandate. In 2003, PDP denied him a return ticket, he quietly retired to his Village in Ikeduru, Imo State where he enjoyed his political retirement until his death in 2007.

Verdict: No political Influence within and outside the Senate.

Chuba Okadigbo( 1999-2000)
His ascendancy to the office of the Senate President was as dramatic as his exit. He began his journey to the exalted office with high hopes. Chuba Okadigbo, a political juggernaut, believed so much in his abilities. Among the Senators from the South-east political zone of the country to which the office of the Senate presidency was zoned, Chuba was like the first among equals. He presided over the senate with an iron hand, became too over bearing and over reaching in pushing through his opinions. So it was not long as widely predicted then, his colleague came after him. He was accused of over invoicing, inflation of contracts and sallah gift of cows to members.

Thus, on the 7th of Sept. 2000 a vote of 81 to 14, members of Nigeria's upper legislative chamber put an end to the crisis over contracts awarded by its leadership by removing the embattled Senate President, Dr. William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo.

End Result For Okadigbo: Like Enwerem, his predecessor, he endured the remaining days of his tenure as an ordinary member of the senate. His party (PDP) also denied him a return ticket to the Senate. Subsequently, he defected to APP where he ran as Vice Presidential Candidate to General Muhammadu Buhari and lost woefully to the then Incumbent Chief Obasanjo. Okadigbo in a bid to reclaim their "Stolen Mandate" from the Law courts, traversed the country, following their court cases. And it could be recalled, that it was in one of those fultile journeies, that he met his untimely death, as the agents of Federal Govt were alleged to have tear gassed him to death.

Verdict: No Political Influence During and After Office.

Anyim Pius Anyim( 2000-2003): He was elected following the impeachment of Okadigbo. He steadied the Sail of the senate, cooperated with the executive to an extent and played a politics of inclusiveness and carried the members along. These virtues endeared him to his colleagues, thus he ran a less rancorous senate, without a total subservience to the Executive arm. His tenure was described as uneventful, though, it was in his tenure that a real attempt was made to impeach Obasanjo.

End Result For Anyim: Despite the large followership he ganered, given the way he ran the Senate, it was his state governor Sam Egwu, that became his albatross. He made sure Anyim political structure was rendered impotent, incohesive and tattered. Anyim sensing that his party had deserted him, publicly declared he wasn't re contesting for the Senate Seat. Therefore after his tenure, he retired to his Village, where he rested till Former President Jonathan rescued him from going into political oblivion.

Verdict: He had influence in the Senate but none afterwards.

Adolfus Wabara: ( 2003-2005): Wabara an Obasanjo protegee was elected the Senate President of the 5th Senate Assembly. He endured a turbulent 2 years as a President, despite the fact, he shielded away from the indiscriminate Scrutiny of Obasanjo government. However, Wabara became a marked man by Obasanjo, immediately he muted the idea of Igbo presidency. Before you could say jack, He was booted out by colleagues as he was forced to resign on a trump up charges of bribery and uneven sharing of senate committees.

End Result For Wabara: After he was forced to resign, he spent the last two years of his mandate "juggling" between courts and the Senate. He eventually retired to his village in Abia State where he hibernate till date.

Verdict: No political influence within and Outside the Senate.

Ken Nnamani ( 2005-2007): Senator Ken Nnamani, who replaced him as Senate President, perhaps led the most stable Senate of the time. The senate under him was somewhat subservient to the Executive until the tail end of his Tenure, when he presided over the death of 3rd Term ambition of Obasanjo. He instantly endeared himself to ordinary Nigerians for the feat he was able to achieve despite the huge pressure by the powers that be. Unfortunately all these acts were not enough to return him to the Senate, as governor Nnamani hounded and chased away from the party in his native Enugu State. Without anyway to return after his Tenure, he became a critic of the government, and lectures on democracy based invitations.

End Result For Ken: He lives as a "statesman" in his own right. No longer vocal and seldom comments on National issues.

Verdict: He Had influence on his colleagues within the chambers when he presided over as the Senate president and None afterwards.

David Mark ( 2007-2015): Mark is credited as the only Senate President since advent of Democracy in Nigeria to have weathered the storm(if there was any) and served out two tenures. His tenure witnessed a very cordial relationship with the executive arm. In fact the Senate became a "rubber stamp" to the executive. Former Presidents Yardua and Jonathan didn't have to lobby or break a sweat before their bills are passed. It was like a brother, sister relationship till his party was booted out by Nigerians owing to non performance and impunity.

End Result For Mark: Though he was reelected as a senator for a record five times, this time around as an ordinary floor member, nothing outside the Senate chamber could portray him as a political "influencer" as he nearly lost his seat to his opponent from the APC. His home state has been taken over by the ruling party which may well seal his fate in subsequent electoral outings.

Verdict: His only ambition is to always be a member of the Senate. No need rating him!

Bukola Saraki (2015-Date) Reminiscent of Evan(s) Enwerem era, Saraki struck a deal with the opposition PDP members, when he turned out he wasn't the favored candidate by his fellow senators from his party (APC). He practically degraded and chided his party openly for asking him not to contest. He equally disrespected the office of The Presidency, he refused to attend the meeting called by President to mediate into the crisis rocking his party. Consequently he contested and won the election but not without drama, as only 57 members (largely made up PDP) were present when the election took place.

End Result Saraki So Far: He has assumed office, presided over 4 Days of plenary sessions with about 10 "rulings" as a presiding officer, 7 of those rulings against his own party members.

Verdict: Time Shall Tell!

*Points To Take Away:
1. 5 of the 6 Senate Presidents were denied party tickets to return to the Assembly.
2. Most of the Senate Presidents were 'taken care' by their governors
3. None of them has progressed beyond the Senate.
4. None of them had/has a say on the way their parties were/are being run.
5. None of them survived without the executive backings.

Now the question is: Is The Senate President Seat Overrated??

Let's discuss!

By Miss Ngene

b

Everything in Nigeria is overrated.

Cc
lalasticlala, Ishilove!

Very Overrated.....

David Mark as Senate President could not make any of his kinsman (Idomas) Governor in Benue

PDP lost Benue governorship election under his watch..

Even his re-election was just regarded as a "Lucky One"

Very very over rated.

NgeneUkwenu:

Ok

The post isn't overrated at all. It is a very sensitive post.

The post of the Senate President is meant to be occupied by the Vice President just like the US where the Vice President is also the President of the senate.

This gives the Veepee more responsibilities than the dummy post.

ApcSucks:


Ok

I know say the thread pass you !

Oya! Go and find where to type "President Buhari"

Senator Olubukola Saraki will remain the Senate President of Nigeria till 2019. Albeit, he would defect to PDP before the expiration of his tenure to contest as the PDP Presidential candidate at the polls in 2019

Tolexander:
The post isn't overrated at all. It is a very sensitive post.

The post of the Senate President is meant to be occupied by the Vice President just like the US where the Vice President is also the President of the senate.

This gives the Veepee more responsibilities than the dummy post.

What I meant is, being "politically" over rated! PDP and APC have been making it look as if the Seat would determine who emerges president in 2019! For me the office is overly rated as history have shown!

NgeneUkwenu:


What I meant is, being "politically" over rated! PDP and APC have been making it look as if the Seat would determine who emerges president in 2019! For me the office is overly rated as history have shown!

oh, the implication of occupying the post you meant?

We can't really predict the the future of the present occupant of the seat using the fate that has befallen his predecessors.

Bukola Saraki has the ambition of ruling this nation even becoming a senator. The presidency of the senate will definitely empower him. Unlike many of his predecessors. The ambition of many of his predecessors would likely be to govern their state after vacating the seat. This is a post Bukola has gone through.

Bukola has influence beyond his senatorial district, popular in his state and with a influence in his geopolitical zone. Unlike his predecessors whose wings were clipped by their various state Governors.

NgeneUkwenu:


I know say the thread pass you !

Oya! Go and find where to type "President Buhari"

Will soon modify

The post of the Senate President is very important to have a smooth sail the president must have a good working relationship with the Senate president or have him in his pocket more like a rubber stamp. He is more powerful than the Vice president, all the past Senate presidents mentioned by the OP all got there based on party loyalty or loyalty to the president that why the executive has always gotten their way and they go into oblivion after leaving office. Saraki's case is different from the rest for obvious reasons:
1. He got his mandate with the help of the opposition and few of his party members , there by he can make things difficult for his party if he choices.
2. Lobby by the executive will be difficult because only a few senators are loyal to the party by extension the executive. there by passing critical executive bills, screening of political appointees etc very difficult.
3. He can't stop being relevant because the political structure in his state is in his pocket, he brought the party to his state and he can take it away.
Lets see how all this play out its just my personal opinion

Tolexander:
oh, the implication of occupying the post you meant?

We can't really predict the the future of the present occupant of the seat using the fate that has befallen his predecessors.

Bukola Saraki has the ambition of ruling this nation even becoming a senator. The presidency of the senate will definitely empower him. Unlike many of his predecessors. The ambition of many of his predecessors would likely be to govern their state after vacating the seat. This is a post Bukola has gone through.

Bukola has influence beyond his senatorial district, popular in his state and with a influence in his geopolitical zone. Unlike his predecessors whose wings were clipped by their various state Governors.

That's why I made the thread an open ended one! Please how, does he influence his geopolitical zone? We learn everyday...

NgeneUkwenu:


That's why I made the thread an open ended one! Please how does influence his geopolitical zone? We learn everyday...

the influence in the zone isn't really as pronounced as the south west, south east and north west cos there isnt any ethnic homogeneity anyway.
He is still among the political giants that can deliver their state in the zone.

Mrco2:
The post of the Senate President is very important to have a smooth sail the president must have a good working relationship with the Senate president or have him in his pocket more like a rubber stamp. He is more powerful than the Vice president, all the past Senate presidents mentioned by the OP all got there based on party loyalty or loyalty to the president that why the executive has always gotten their way and they go into oblivion after leaving office. Saraki's case is different from the rest for obvious reasons:
1. He got his mandate with the help of the opposition and few of his party members , there by he can make things difficult for his party if he choices.
2. Lobby by the executive will be difficult because only a few senators are loyal to the party by extension the executive. there by passing critical executive bills, screening of political appointees etc very difficult.
3. He can't stop being relevant because the political structure in his state is in his pocket, he brought the party to his state and he can take it away.
Lets see how all this play out its just my personal opinion

1. He got his mandate with the help of the opposition and few of his party members , there by he can make things difficult for his party if he choices

.

Evans Enwerem also got his mandate with the help of the opposition (AD, APP, and a sprinkle of PDP member). Did he stop them turning the heat him on when it was time?

2. Lobby by the executive will be difficult because only a few senators are loyal to the party by extension the executive. there by passing critical executive bills, screening of political appointees etc very difficult.

Do you think the few APC senators with him now, won't desert him if he starts making the job of the president difficult? Do you think, he won't be impeached the next minute?

3. He can't stop being relevant because the political structure in his state is in his pocket, he brought the party to his state and he can take it away.

Yes for now, he is relevant in Kwara State, but what about tomorrow?

NgeneUkwenu:


What I meant is, being "politically" over rated! PDP and APC have been making it look as if the Seat would determine who emerges president in 2019! For me the office is overly rated as history have shown!

No that's not what you meant. You are still bitter that your party's choice for the Senate Presidency lost out, I dare say you wouldn't have asked this dumb question if Lawan was the president. Listen dear, get over the loss, there's nothing you can do about it.

Tolexander:
the influence in the zone isn't really as pronounced as the south west, south east and north west cos there isnt any ethnic homogeneity anyway.
He is still among the political giants that can deliver their state in the zone.

When you say state(Kwara), I agree with you! But geopolitical zone(Kogi, Benue, Niger, Taraba, Nasarrawa,) Saraki hasn't cut it!

HardcoreAngela:
Senator Olubukola Saraki will remain the Senate President of Nigeria till 2019. Albeit, he would defect to PDP before the expiration of his tenure to contest as the PDP Presidential candidate at the polls in 2019

President of Kwara republic ba? That guy is a nobody outside Kwara politics, he is not even known within north-central If PDP decides to zone their ticket to north-central David Mark will have a very smooth ride. Though PDP will still lose come 2019 and beyond.

NgeneUkwenu:


When you say state(Kwara), I agree with you! But geopolitical zone(Kogi, Benue, Niger, Taraba Plateau, Nasarrawa,) Saraki hasn't cut it!

it is difficult to have a political giant controlling the zone cos the zone isn't ethnically homogeneous. I added geopolitical zone influence cos he is among the politicians with influence in the zone.

Saraki will soon be cut to size, starting from Kwara State.

@ OP
1. don't forget Saraki unlike Evans Enwerem is more politically sophisticated with a wider network the opposition now has the numbers to block any impeachment plot remember they have the Deputy senate president.

2 Its difficult to brake his followers am not saying its impossible but its easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to brake this group.
3. forget Kwara politics he holds the ace.
APC has lost this one all they need to do is to fictionalize the party and decamp this is already happening.

OP, you can go and die.
Saraki is you Senate President and there is nothing you and your Thiiefnubu can do about it. Sorry.

Mrco2:
@ OP
1. don't forget Saraki unlike Evans Enwerem is more politically sophisticated with a wider network the opposition now has the numbers to block any impeachment plot remember they have the Deputy senate president.

2 Its difficult to brake his followers am not saying its impossible but its easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to brake this group.
3. forget Kwara politics he holds the ace.
APC has lost this one all they need to do is to fictionalize the party and decamp this is already happening.

Time shall tell!

take it or leave it

mr/miss ngeneukwenu


politically senate president (legislative) is second after the president (executive) because any action of the Senate will directly affect the executive if you studied your secondary school govt well.
constitutionally SP is third highest post in a democratic settings but practically it's second.

so SP is never overrated ask Tinubu for more clarification

SP is second powerful office in Nigeria after president
i understand how this pains expecially seeing pdp regaining their confidence back just shove down
the pain in your asss because your post here doesn't change the fact that Buhari's performance lies in the hands of saraki.

Chai see how hate and bitterness can make someone think like a dummy.

at this junction i rate this post 3/10 just because of the pictures.


you know nothing miss ngeneukwenu


cc


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