Saraki: Tension as Senate resumes today

There was palpable tension at the Senate yesterday ahead of its resumption today in the heat of the credibility crisis rocking its leadership on account of the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on alleged false assets declaration.

Heightening the tension was a move reportedly being made to beam searchlights on assets declaration forms of the 27 senators that escorted Bukola Saraki to CCT last Tuesday when he was docked.

Saraki had, at his appearance before the tribunal last week, pleaded not guilty to all the 13-count charge bordering on falsification of asset declarations between 2003 and 2011 when he served as executive governor of Kwara State in the presence of 27 other senators who openly came out in solidarity and support for him at the tribunal.

The 27 senators led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP Enugu West), after the tribunal session, further displayed their loyalty and support for Saraki in the face of the trial with a press statement issued on their behalf and the entire Senate by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba (APC Sokoto South).

The senators, in the press statement, said “no amount of political persecutions or stage managed trials against Saraki will make them remove him as the Senate President.”

But feelers from some of the senators indicate that some of them in a matter of weeks may join Saraki on similar trials at the tribunal as their assets declaration forms are being scrutinised by the CCB, for possible prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

One of the affected senators from the APC camp from the North Central zone confided in the Newswatch Times yesterday that the alleged move to rope in the other opposing senators into the assets declaration scandal was real and that they are battle ready.

“Information to the effect that the powers that be now may compel both CCB and CCT to treat senators who came out to identify with the Senate President last Tuesday at the tribunal, the same way the number three citizen is being treated is already getting to us and we are not in any way afraid because as far as I am concerned, I have nothing to hide just like many other senators,” the source said.

However, some PDP senators who commented over the alleged move yesterday in separate telephone interviews, said if eventually made, it would not in any way stop them from supporting Saraki.

Senator Ighoyota Amori (PDP Delta Central) said the alleged move was not a big deal and will not make them to shift ground on support for Saraki.

He said: “We will continue to follow Saraki to CCT whenever the case is heard. Though I’ve not heard of such move but I have nothing to hide and if they do, we are ready and they should know that the Federal Government belongs to all of us.”

Also, Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central) said: “I am not aware but they are free to do whatever they like. Those who are calling for Saraki’s resignation are wasting their time because they did not vote for him to be Senate President.”

Senator Sam Anyanwu (PDP Imo East) said it is a move that is bound to fail, adding, “I am not aware but if they do that, it will be obvious that the CCT is being made to target a group of senators but we have nothing to hide.”

The entire list of senators who escorted Saraki to the tribunal last Tuesday led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP Enugu West), were: Senators Shaaba Lafiaji (APC Kwara North), Rafiu Ibrahim (APC Kwara South), Theordore Orji (PDP Abia Central), Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia North) , Samuel Egwu (PDP Ebonyi North) and Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East), Aliyu Wamakko (APC Sokoto North), Kabiru Gaya (APC Kano South) and Tayo Alasoadura (APC Ondo Central).

Others were: Senators Gilbert Nnaji (PDP Enugu East), Samuel Anyawu (PDP Imo East), Foster Ogola (PDP Bayelsa West), Sonni Ogborji (PDP Ebonyi South), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North) and Isa Hamma Missau (APC Bauchi Central), Emmanuel Paulker (PDP Bayelsa Central), Obinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central), Kaura Tijani (APC Zamfara North), Clifford Ordia (PDP Edo Central), (Ibrahim Abdullahi (APC Sokoto South), Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP Delta North), Rose Okoh ( PDP Cross River North), Mohammed Ohiare (APC Kogi Central), Gershom Bassey (PDP Cross River South), Olaka Nwogu (PDP Rivers South East) and Ighoyota Amori (PDP Delta Central).

Meanwhile, the Senate, as it resumes today, expects communication from President Muhammadu Buhari on list of ministerial nomination.

Chairman, Senate’s Ad Hoc Committee on Media and Publicity   Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) stated this yesterday through a personally signed press statement.

Melaye, in the statement, also dispelled speculations of a likely postponement of the resumption. He said the Senate will commence legislative activities and thus set to welcome communication from President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that the Senate is committed to always do only those things that would promote the unity, prosperity and wellbeing of the Nigerian people.

He also stated that there will be no “stormy session” in the Senate on resumption as being peddled by a section of the media since both the leadership of the upper chamber and all Senators are at peace among themselves and are focused on working for the betterment of the country at all times.

He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to announce the resolve of the Senate, to do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and wellbeing of the Nigerian people.

“We are willing and ready to receive all communication from Mr. President and we will act accordingly. We once again reiterate our allegiance to the Nigerian people.” [Mynewswatchtimesng]