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I will try not to make any conclusive point in this review; but will try to make a presentation of points. In the Month of June, 2015, Bukola Saraki emerged as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on what could described simply as dramatic events. It is understandable that the political party, which he belongs to did not want him on the seat as the President of the Senate – they preferred Ahmed Lawan, who is from the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.
The drama went on until many parties accepted their “fate” on the matter; and since then, some quietness has been perceived from the red chambers. The same drama took place at the green chamber; however, the Reps were able to resolve theirs very quickly, with the preferred choice of the party appointed as the House Leader. But that was not the same for the red chamber; because the pro-saraki group ensured that the choice of the party got nothing substantial to make him forget his wounds.
Soon after the drama scenes, the President of the Senate was invited, (attempted to be arrested) by the Code of Conduct Tribunal over false declaration of asset (which is the underground foundation of corruption or public embezzlement). It is one thing for people to think their leader is corrupt; another thing is for the people to find him engaging in corruption. Since his asset declarations were clean, nobody thought it wise to question his judgments. However, evidences surfaced on how he bought houses and various assets without the knowledge of the law (as it were). The question many asked was, “Why now?, why then?”. While am not a spokesperson for the CCB/CCT; I will say very quickly that the matter may not be raised earlier, partly because he was a sitting Governor for 8 years (with immunity); and after he left office as Governor, he became a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – perhaps the question should go to the former administration for neglecting his case!
Just yesterday, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal ruled that the trial will be daily, and no more adjournments will be allowed. Implying that the Senate President will be compelled to go daily to the CCT for trials from 9am to 6pm daily – the question then is, “Can the Senate President sit on two chairs at the same time?” Can he boldly say that he will be in charge of the law making in Nigeria with clarity of vision and focus; and also answer questions at the CCT?
For those who would say, “Can’t the Deputy Senate President (Senator Ekeremadu) take his while he is away at the CCT?”; I would remind such people that the Senate President has never gone to the CCT alone – he usually go with all his supporting Senators. The question then is, how will the Senators follow the Senate President daily to the CCT and still do their work, which they were voted (employed) by their people to do?
I think the Senators must not forget that they all came from different Senatorial zones in this country, and each one is sent by his or her people for a job to be done, which does not in anyway including following anyone to courts daily….I also think Nigerians need to start asking the law makers questions of loyalty – are the Senators loyal to the President of the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or are the loyal to their people – that spent hours under the scorching sun to ensure their elections into their offices? I rest my case for now!
