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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Court to hear Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC others July 27

    Court to hear Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC others July 27

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, fixed July 27 for further mention of a suit filed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to enable the parties file and exchange their processes in the suit.

    The development followed non-appearance of counsel for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents in the case.

    Newsmen reports that while Saraki is the applicant, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the EFCC had, in 2019, said it would probe Saraki’s earnings between 2003 and 2011 when he was governor of Kwara.

    The commission was reported to have seized some of his houses in the Ikoyi area of Lagos then.

    However, Saraki, on May 10, 2019, filed two separate suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/19 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/19 respectively before Justice Taiwo Taiwo to challenge the action of the EFCC.

    Justice Taiwo, who was the presiding judge, ruled on an ex parte application filed along with the substantive suits.

    The judge ordered the anti-corruption agency (4th respondent) and the other five respondents to the suits to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.

    The order was granted after Sunday Onubi, Saraki’s lawyer, moved the application, on May 14, 2019.

    The court had directed the parties to maintain the status quo by suspending the probe.

    But the EFCC later applied that the judge should recuse himself and the matter be transferred to another court.

    Justice Taiwo sent back the case file to the chief judge and the matter was reassigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere for adjudication.

    When the matter came up on July 14, 2021 before Justice Chikere, EFCC Counsel, Chile Okoronkwo, complained that Taiwo’s order had hindered the agency “from performing its duty for about two years now.”

    The lawyer, who stated that Saraki continued to hinge on the order of the court any time he is invited, urged the court to vacate the order.

    But the suits were reassigned to Justice Ekwo following the retirement of Chikere.

    Upon mentioning of the matter on Thursday, Saraki’s counsel, Lukaman Saidu, informed that the matter was slated for further mention.

    No lawyer, however, appeared for AGF, I-G, SSS and EFCC.

    Justice Ekwo then asked him if the hearing notices for the proceeding were served on the respondents.

    Saidu confirmed that all processes had been served on the respondents.

    Lawyer to the ICPC, O. A. Ikupolati told the court that the commission filed a notice of preliminary objection in 2019 with a counter affidavit.

    Also counsel for CCB, Ekenma Okafor, spoke in the same vein.

    She said the agency also filed a notice of preliminary and counter affidavit to Saraki’s applications.

    When Ekwo asked if Saidu had received any process from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents, the lawyer said only the 4th (EFCC) defendant had responded to their motions.

    The judge then adjourned the matter until July 27 for further mention, dire ting that hear I g notices be issues and served on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents.

  • Tucano aircrafts: BMO accuses Saraki of re-writing history

    Tucano aircrafts: BMO accuses Saraki of re-writing history

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused the former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, of re-writing history over the purchase of Tucano light-attack aircraft for the ongoing war against insurgency in the country.
    The BMO made the accusation in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary, Mr Cassidy Madueke, on Tuesday in Abuja.
    It said Saraki was re-writing history in a bid to claim credit for the United States of America’s deal with Nigeria on the purchase of the Super Tucano light-attack aircraft for the ongoing war against insurgency.
    This, it said, was in the aftermath of suggestions by Saraki that the $593 million deal might not have scaled through without his intervention as the then head of the 8th Senate.
    The BMO said the facts on the ground showed that former U.S President Donald Trump had given his approval to the deal within one month of assuming office in 2017.
    “It has come to our notice that former President of the Senate and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bukola Saraki, had been giving the impression that an intervention he spearheaded paved the way for the sale of the aircraft to Nigeria.
    “While we understand that he needed to make himself look good at a time he is seeking his party’s presidential ticket, we make bold to say that the claim is far from the truth,” the BMO said.
    It added that investigations showed that the then President Donald Trump had, within one month in office, assured President Muhammadu Buhari of his readiness to support Nigeria’s plan to procure the counter-insurgency aircraft.
    “By April, there were reports in the international media that the U.S Congress would be notified of the sale in the coming weeks.
    “So it was not surprising that the Defense Security Co-operation Agency notified the U.S Congress on August 2nd, 2017,” the statement said.
    It added that this indicated who the contractors were and how the proposed sale would not have an adverse impact on U.S defence readiness.
    The BMO recalled that the Senate under the watch of Saraki actually threatened to impeach President Buhari for making that move.
    According to it, it all began on Aug. 25, when Buhari notified the Senate in writing that he had granted anticipatory approval for the release of $496,374,470 from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) directly to the Treasury of the U.S Government for the purchase of the 12 aircraft.
    “The presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had explained it, in line with the principle of doctrine of necessity, and cited how previous administrations had taken similar steps.
    “But the Saraki-led Senate threatened to impeach the president for making what it called extra budgetary spending.
    “The impeachment threat was made through a motion by Chairman Senate Committee on Public Account, Sen. Mathew Urhogide,” the statement said.
    It said this was however countered by APC Senators led by Sen. Abu Ibrahim who insisted that since the establishment of the ECA, no government had sent a formal request to the National Assembly for approval for appropriation of funds.
    The BMO said it was not until about four months after the deal was sealed, that the Senate leadership showed any form of support when a U.S congressional delegation came into the country.
    “So it beggars belief that Saraki could seek to claim credit for the purchase of counter-insurgency aircrafts that he tried to block on the grounds of extra-budgetary approval,” the BMO stressed.
    It added that the PDP presidential aspirant should look for something else other than the Tucano jets to convince his party members to give him their support.
  • Eid-el-Fitr: Saraki urges muslims to match prayers with actions

    Eid-el-Fitr: Saraki urges muslims to match prayers with actions

    Former Kwara Governor and the immediate-past President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslims across the country to support the numerous prayers with actions.

    Saraki said that Muslims should back up prayers made during the holy month of Ramadan concerning the nation, with positive attitudes which are necessary for nation-building.

    He said Ramadan symbolizes Allah’s way of teaching humanity the attitude of living a virtuous life, where people keep away from all forms of impurities and experience denial of several forms of comfort.

    Saraki made his position known while speaking at an event to mark the completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and also on Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    This statement was contained in a press release signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office.

    The statement titled ‘Saraki Greets Muslims, Urges Them to Support Prayers With Positive Attitude.’

    The statement reads in part, “While all of us seek to stay away from activities that are injurious to our health, our nation, and our fellow human beings, and seek to live a decent life during the fasting period, we should make this solemn and God-fearing way of life a permanent thing.

    “We should all extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.

    “We should seek peace at all times, promote tolerance of people who speak different languages with us, and worship God in different ways. We should respect the laws of the land and exhibit discipline at all times.

    “Our level of patriotism should increase after Ramadan. That is what this just ended holy month signifies.

    “I do not doubt that millions of Nigerian Muslims who just completed their fasting as well as their Christian brothers and sisters who earlier this month completed the Lent period of fasting prayed for Nigeria.

    “It is the cumulation of all these prayers that have kept this country going despite all the serious challenges confronting her. I believe God will decisively intervene in the affairs of our country and save her from all the existential threats.

    “As the 2023 general election approaches and we gradually commence the process that will lead us to the polls when we will have the opportunity to elect new leaders that will save the country, I pray for genuine guidance from Almighty God for all the citizens of this country, particularly the ones that are of voting age.

    “May we choose right and may our choice ultimately lead to the redemption, rebuilding, rededication, development, and fixing of the country.”

  • 2023 Presidency: Saraki says it is turn of North-Central

    2023 Presidency: Saraki says it is turn of North-Central

    Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said that it was the turn of the North-Central geo-political zone to lead the country.

    Saraki spoke on Tuesday in Jos when he addressed delegates from Plateau ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary elections slated to hold in May.

    The former Kwara governor, who is among the many aspirants in the race for the PDP ticket, pointed out that the North-Central had consistently supported other regions to lead the country and deserved similar support from other zones, this time.

    “You remember that before the national convention of our party, we held a meeting in Abuja with delegates of North-Central extraction.

    “We said to ourselves that for many times and many years, we, in the North Central, have worked hard, we struggled, used our efforts, used our money, used our energies to support other people to lead.

    “Everybody, who had become President under this great party, got the seat because of our massive sacrifices.

    “We have now resolved that it is time for others to vote for us in 2023,” he said.

    He stated that the North-Central had capable hands to address the myriads of problems bedeviling the country.

    Saraki said that if given the opportunity, he would run an open government that would be transparent and fair to all Nigerians.

    The presidential aspirant said that security and other challenges bedeviling Nigeria went out of hand because of lack accountability by the people that were responsible for tackling the issues.

    “The problem of insecurity in Nigeria is because there has been no accountability.

    “People have done things and nobody was held accountable for their failures.

    “When I was Senate President, we sat down with security agencies and drew a roadmap on how to address the issue of insecurity, but the report was abandoned.

    “If I am the President, I will hold people accountable and they will do what is right to end insecurity and there will be no injustice,” he said.

    Saraki further stated that the country was so divided and needed someone that had capacity and a good grasp of the situation to restore its lost glory and unite the people.

    Mr Chris Hassan, PDP Chairman in Plateau, told the delegates that Saraki stood with the state during its trying times.

    Hassan said that Saraki was a stabilising factor that had traversed the length and breadth of the country to reconcile members of the PDP.

    The chairman said that delegates would assess all aspirants and make an informed decision based on their antecedents.

    Rep Beni Lar, daughter of Chief Solomon Lar, first PDP chairman, in her remarks, said that Nigerians were tired of bloodshed and that Saraki had the capacity to end the killings.

    Lar urged the presidential aspirant to ensure that women got their 35 per cent affirmation action when elected President come in 2023.

  • 2023: I have capacity to rescue Nigeria from challenges – Saraki

    2023: I have capacity to rescue Nigeria from challenges – Saraki

    The former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has described himself as a man with intellectual capacity and boldness to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges if voted into power.

    Saraki, a presidential aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this during his visit to Akure to canvass for support from the delegates of the party in the state.

    He said that the 2023 elections would be a turning point for the country; saying that Nigeria needed a president with understanding of the economy and that could sacrifice in rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.

    Saraki said that Nigeria needed a president with energy that could administer the country for 24-hours or more if the situation necessitated it.

    According to him, his political career and antecedents have shown that he has capacity to be president of the country.

    He recalled that he was able to transform Kwara positively when he was the governor of the state.

    Saraki promised that he would replicate his achievements when he was a Senate President if voted as a president of the country.

    Speaking at the event, Mr Fatai Adams, the state Chairman of PDP, said that the former Senate President during his tenure turned around the National Assembly.

    Adams added that during Saraki’s term, he made the country proud and did not make legislature an appendage of the executive arm of government.

    He described Saraki as a son of the state because his wife and mother are from the state.

    According to him, Saraki’s antecedents speak volume, saying he is one of the best and a true and worthy ambassador of the country.

    The PDP chairman said that, though he should not give the presidential aspirant a scorecard, the state would not let him down.

    Also, Mr Earl Osaro, the Director General of Saraki Campaign Organisation, asked delegates of the party and people of the state to give Saraki good support.

    Osaro said that Saraki was a good product to sell, considering his capacity and boldness.

    He further said that Saraki was a bridge between the North and the South, Muslims and Christians that could rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.

  • 2023: Consensus arrangement somersaults as Tambuwal pulls out

    2023: Consensus arrangement somersaults as Tambuwal pulls out

    Governor of Sokoto state and one of the apostles of consensus arrangements for the north, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has pulled out of the agreement declaring he was not part of it.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed had met in former President Ibrahim Babangida Minna mission last Fridaywhere the northern elders endorsed Saraki and Mohammed.

    In a statement issued in the early hours of Saturday, his campaign train noted that Governor Tambuwal was not part of the Minna declaration recognising two candidates instead of one.

    In the statement signed by Nicholas Msheliza Director Organization and Mobilization for TCO of Tambuwal Campaign Organization (TCO) ssit its attention has been drawn to a news item that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Gov. Bala Muhammad of Bauchi state have emerged as consensus candidates from amongst the four of us announced at a meeting in Minna, Niger state.

    ‘This is, to be candid and forthright, not correct.

    The correct situation is that the team met on Wednesday 20th April, 2022, at Bauchi Governor’s lodge in Abuja and had a review meeting; and, unanimously agreed that the consensus arrangement was not working.

    “The team further agreed that Sen. Saraki should come up with a draft statement on how to communicate this decision to the Nigerian public.

    “This was the last time that members of the team sat and mutually agreed on anything. The proposed meeting to review and vet the statement scheduled for 10 pm of the same day was aborted unilaterally by Sen. Saraki via a WhatsApp message.

    “However, on Thursday, 21st, 2022, same Sen Saraki circulated yet another WhatsApp message suggesting that members of the team should head to Minna for a meeting on Friday, Gov.

    “Tambuwal reached other members of the team and informed them that he stands by the decision of the team that the initiative is not working. This is the reason Gov. Tambuwal was absent at today’s (Friday) meeting in Minna. As a result therefore, the outcome of the Minna meeting has no consequence or any implication on the aspiration of Gov. Tambuwal, who had earlier on informed his colleagues of maintaining their agreed position that the initiative has collapsed.

    “Members of the public should be reminded that what was canvassed for was a consensus candidate and not consensus candidates.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Gov Tambuwal has submitted his Presidential nomination forms and now that the quest for a consensus candidate out of the four has clearly collapsed, will go ahead and face screening and indeed contest the PDP presidential primaries.

    “This is in consonance with his acclaimed outlook as a pan-Nigerian candidate, with pedigree of national service as the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, life member of the Body of Benchers and now in his second and final term as Governor of Sokoto state.

  • 2023: Implosion looms in PDP as northern elders dump Atiku for Saraki, Mohammed

    2023: Implosion looms in PDP as northern elders dump Atiku for Saraki, Mohammed

    The PDP Northern Elders after a closed-door meeting with General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on Friday evening in Minna adopted Dr Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as their consensus candidates.

    This is coming despite clarion calls by southern presidential aspirants insisting that the age long zoning arrangement in PDP, the oldest political party in Nigeria stands.

    With this development, former Vice President Atiku will face an uphill task keeping his presidential ambition alive through the PDP.

    Giving the recommendation of the Northern Elders at the Uphill Residence of Babangida in Minna, Professor Ango Abdullahi said that the two aspirants have been urged to work together to make allowance for further consultations to come up with one consensus candidate.

    According to him, for the purpose of this exercise, it is hereby resolved that Governor Bala Mohammed from the North East and former Senate President Bukola Saraki from the North Central be presented as the northern consensus candidates for the moment.

    “The successful aspirants are hereby urged to work together to make allowance for further consultations to foster understanding among themselves and the PDP community to ensure a rancour free primaries in which all eligible candidates would be free to exercise their right.”

    According to Ango, four aspirants from northern Nigeria presented themselves for the consensus including Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Bala Mohammed, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

    He said that General Babangida opted for inclusion through wider consultation and assigned him to design a criteria and carry out the necessary consultations with elders and leaders across the three geopolitical zones in the north.

    Ango said that the process is conducted in three stages which include candidates assessment, zonal assessment and PDP previous experiences.

    “In the first phase, the opinions of six distinguished persons each from the three geopolitical zones were sought with regards to each of the four aspirants.

    “Each of the Zonal delegates was allocated two votes to choose the first and second choice making a total of 36 votes overall.

    The outcome of that consultation was as follows: 7 votes for Aminu Waziri, 10 votes for Bala Mohammed, 10 votes for Bukola Saraki and 5 votes for Mohammed Hayatu-deen.

    “One of the elders deferred his votes on grounds of continuing consultations with traditional rulers and other major stakeholders. Two members did not cast their second ballots bringing the total to 32 votes cast out of 36”, he said.

    He said it was then resolved that any leading aspirant from North Central and one from North East are to be presented as northern presidential candidates.

    “The two would in turn be required to make further concessions so that in the end one of them would be presented as the consensus candidate, out of the four that presented themselves from the north”.

  • Easter: We must all put our nation first in our prayers, says Saraki

    Easter: We must all put our nation first in our prayers, says Saraki

    Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his Easter greetings to Nigerians said we must all put our nation first in our prayers.

    The former Kwara State Governor’s and his family congratulated Christians across the nation as they celebrate Easter.

    This was contained in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, Saraki, who is also a former Governor of Kwara State, stated that this year’s Easter celebration, which also coincides with the Holy Month of Ramadan, was a critical intersection of Nigeria’s two major religions.

    He said:

    “As families across Nigeria and the world settle in to celebrate the significance of Easter, which commemorates the ascension of Jesus in the Christian faith, Toyin, the children, and I wish all those who are celebrating a very Happy Easter.

    “Today, we find ourselves in a critical intersection of our faiths. As our Christian brothers and sisters celebrate Easter, we, the Muslim Ummah, are still observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    However, we must all come together. Let us pray to the Almighty God for the peace, unity, and development of our nation; the protection of the lives and property of all Nigerians; and for the future of Nigeria.

    “Let us all remember that though we are of different faiths and religious practices, as Nigerians, we share common values and collective national aspirations. We all want our families and communities to be safe; we all want a thriving economy, and we all want a nation with ample opportunities for everyone.

    “This is why, as we all pray today and throughout this festive weekend, we must all remember to put our nation first. Let us seek the face of the Almighty God in finding real solutions to the problems that confront us. Let us also ask, that as we prepare to select our next set of leaders at all levels, may the Almighty God intervene in the affairs of men, and guide us all aright.

    “Happy Easter to you and your families!” the former Senate President stated.

  • 2023 Elections: Dino Melaye attacks Ayodele Fayose

    2023 Elections: Dino Melaye attacks Ayodele Fayose

    A former Senator, Dino Melaye,who represented Kogi West at the 8th assembly has called on the leadership l of the Peoples Democratic Party to warn Ekiti state former Governor Ayodele Fayose to stop de-marketing and de-valuing Senator Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Atiku, both are eyeing the presidential seat under the umbrella of PDP.

    Melaye has also described the ambition of Ayodele Fayose as not being realistic calling him a ‘presidential gambler’

    He was reacting to the comments by Fayose against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over the collection of the presidential nomination forms.

    According to Melaye, the presidency of the country is not ‘Ponmo and Amala’ insinuating that it’s meant for serious minded persons.

    Melaye described Fayose’s comment as a strategy to allegedly increase the supportership of his political godfather in the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    Recall that Fayose has declared interest in the presidency and had obtained nomination form under the PDP.
  • 2023: We are ready for consensus without acrimony – Saraki

    2023: We are ready for consensus without acrimony – Saraki

    Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, says that all the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopefuls from the North are ready for a consensus candidate during the party’s primaries without acrimony.

    He gave the assurance in Bauchi on Sunday when Saraki and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, also a PDP presidential hopeful, paid a consultative visit to Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

    Saraki, who addressed the media on behalf of the three presidential hopefuls, said they found it necessary as stakeholders of the party to meet, brainstorm and see how things could best work out among them.

    He said: “In doing so, we met and discussed that for 2023 ahead of us, the unity and stability of the country and the growth of the country is more important than individual ambitions.

    “We also met to strive for the need for us to work together. We believe that the three of us are working together harmoniously, committed and with a lot of energy, there will be great hope for this country going ahead.

    “We appreciate that the three of us have shown aspiration to lead this country, but we also come to realise that we are all capable, competent and fit to lead this country.

    “At the end of the day, it is only one person that will lead this country in 2023; and we also resolved that we are going to work closely to ensure that we come out with a way that consensus arrangement would come among the three of us on how to go forward into leading this country.

    He added that they also believed that their role was to make things easier for them to have stability in the party, saying if there is stability in PDP, there would be stability in Nigeria.

    The former governor of Kwara, however, urged all the PDP supporters to remain focussed and united in order to uplift the party to a greater heights.

    Saraki explained that the three of them would also meet with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to brief him about the discussions they had during the meeting in Bauchi.