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  • Saraki lauds Nigerians, INEC on Success of Anambra Polls

    Saraki lauds Nigerians, INEC on Success of Anambra Polls

    Immediate Past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Nigerians, particularly the people of Anambra State for the successful completion of the gubernatorial elections in Anambra State after the uncertainty and fear that the election would either not hold or be marred by violence. He also advised the people not to allow the crucial lessons which the results of the elections signified to go unnoticed or ignored.

    Saraki in a statement signed on his behalf by the Head of his Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commended the stakeholders and other people who initiated and participated in the dialogue that eventually created the peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the period immediately before, during, and after the election.

    He further praised the security agencies for the diligence and professionalism displayed by the officers and men on duty who rose to the occasion by ensuring smooth conduct of the polls without any serious breach of peace.

    He also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful deployment of technology to improve the election process, particularly the adoption of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results.

    He stated that the results of the elections have justified the fact that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of results are possible in Nigeria and can help to minimise incidents of fraud while enthroning the era of free, fair, and credible polls as they discourage ballot stuffing and alteration of authentic results by fraudulent officials.

    He added that though there were some hitches recorded during the weekend polls, he urged INEC not to be deterred but to go back to the drawing board to improve on the areas where there were setbacks.

    “One of the areas that need to be improved is the time spent on accreditation of voters. It can be frustrating when voters have to spend many quality hours on the queue before they can be accredited to vote.

    “It should be clear to members of the National Assembly that they have done the right thing by turning around to support inclusion of the provision on electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2019. They should quickly conclude work on the Bill and forward it without any further delay to the President. It will also be good if the President can sign the bill into law before the end of the year”, he stated.

    The former Governor of Kwara State further appealed to youths who have been discouraged from registering to vote because they are not sure their votes will count or that the transparency of the electoral process can be guaranteed to have a change of mind.

    “In my interactions with a lot of youths, I could see that they do not have confidence in the electoral process and that is why they have either not registered to vote or they stayed away from the polling stations on election day. I want to appeal to the youths to see the Anambra State elections as an indication of positive efforts being made to improve the process. So, they should go out and register in other to boost the turnout in subsequent elections across the country.

    “The Anambra State electorate has taught the rest of Nigeria a lesson about the need for people to vote according to their conscience, to conduct polls devoid of violence, and stand firm in defence of our votes. All stakeholders also have to work on the issue of vote-buying. It is a problem which we must find a solution to, otherwise, it will continue to undermine our democracy. These are some of the lessons from Anambra State which must not be ignored.

    “While I congratulate the winner of the elections, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, I believe that it is Nigeria and her democracy that won from the results and the conduct of the Anambra State polls. Once again, we have shown that our country can pull back from the brink and refrain from descending into the abyss. I enjoin the government and opinion leaders in the South-East to build on the discussions that led to the peace that reigned in the Anambra State during the elections so that we can have full return of peace across the South-east region. Once again, congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians”, Saraki stated.

  • For the PDP, the North of Atiku, Saraki and Tambuwal, has it

    For the PDP, the North of Atiku, Saraki and Tambuwal, has it

    By Mideno Bayagbon

    (08055069059 Whatsapp)

     

    For the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South of Nigeria, when it comes to the 2023 presidential elections, hands are raised up, in total surrender! Forget the recent election of former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, a Middle belter, as the new chairman of the party. Under normal circumstances, that election would have been a pointer to where the PDP wants to zone its presidential slot to: Southern Nigeria. But except something dramatic happens in the immediate near future, the hope of the PDP fielding its presidential candidate from the South is, currently, a pipe dream. The settled decision is that the PDP will field a northerner, no matter from what zone its main rival, the the All Progressives Congress (APC) picks its candidate from. The focus of the strategic thinkers of the party is on how to present a united front that is solid enough to defeat the ruling APC in the elections of 2023.

     

    It is true that some aspirants in the south have subtly and even overtly indicated interest in running for the office. Two South South Governors, Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanuel have joined a few South Easterners in showing half interest in vying for the office. The Distinguished Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President, has vowed to contest for the office whether the PDP zones the office to the East or not. How this will play out eventually is up for conjecture. The feeling is that the former Secretary to Government of the Federation is positioning high while hoping to be picked for the vice presidential slot. The party’s political king makers, spoken to are still at sea, without a clue whether Peter Obi wants to run for the office or again wants to position for the office of Vice President to any northern candidate the party will throw up.

     

    Above, notwithstanding, it is an open secret in the party that Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has a seemingly solid arrangement with Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to pair up to vie for the office. But Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, current governor of Delta state has his eyes on either going back to the Senate and working to emerge as Senate President or fight it out with Wike and Emmanuel to be vice president to a Tambuwal or Atiku. That is, if the party zones the VP position to the South South zone.

     

    What is, however, becoming very clear in the party, is that leading aspirants have emerged out of about seven northern candidates who are angling for the position. The three leaders who have emerged in the race are Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Abubakar Saraki and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal. But for his age, which many currently see as a huge draw back, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would have been head and shoulders above Saraki and Tambuwal. Nevertheless, it is as if a repeat of the 2014 presidential primaries of the party is going for an encore, as the then three leading candidates are yet the three front runners as the road to the race shortens.

     

    Atiku Abubakar will be 76 in 2023, and should he win the election, he will be 80 years old in 2027 when he will be due for reelection. Many leaders in the PDP are worried that though he is still seemingly very strong for his age, they ask if an old man is what Nigeria needs now to confront the many hydra-headed problems which the government of General Muhammadu Buhari has foisted on the nation. While most acknowledge that, with his pedigree, an Atiku presidency will likely throw up a mixture of solid professionals and capable politicians to take hold of strategic points of the economy, they nonetheless still nurse doubts about the impact his age will have on governance. This is where a Bukola Saraki and Aminu Tambuwal come into serious reckoning.

     

    Bukola Saraki, no doubt has had his eyes on the presidency for a long time. He has tried to build a formidable structure, nationwide, in preparation for the primaries which are just a few months away. Among his many strategic thrust include building a team of like minded Nigerians who came out, recently, to claim they are bent on rescuing Nigeria from the deadly morass into which it has sunk with the seemingly nepotistic administration of the current occupier of Aso Rock. Though he has tried not to show his hands there, it is nonetheless clear to political observers that should he fail to win the candidacy of the PDP, this will be a platform he hopes to use to try and achieve his ambition.

     

    The group without a clear ideological leaning is bent on wresting power from the old oligarchs of the north represented by President Buhari. The fear among this group is that the country can break if no urgent measures are taken to keep it one. That is why there have been attempts by them to make it a national movement. But as at the last count, it is still heavily dominated by politicians in the middle belt and the core north generally.

     

    But two major issues stand in Saraki’s way. First, he is currently without a home base. Kwara, where he was once king has been swept from under his feet. The Otoge Movement which his enemies in Aso Rock and in Kwara sponsored against him had such a devastating effect that in large part of the state, those who used to hail him now openly call for his crucification.

     

    Also, though he lays claim to the Fulani heritage, and though he is a moslem, he is still viewed with suspicion in some sections of the north who do not fully accept him as one who will go all out to protect the interest of the elites packaged as the interest of the north. They see him more as a Yoruba man than as a Fulani even though he has in recent years tried to play down his name Bukola in preference for Abubakar. But as a former governor and a former Senate President, there is no doubt that Saraki has build a large friendship base across the country that he can depend on to run for the office.

     

    Aminu Tambuwal is another kettle of fish altogether. He is one of the aces the system in the north is holding close to its chest. He has had his eyes on the presidency for the past ten years or so. He had to be persuaded to take the governorship of Sokoto state before the 2014 primaries so that the north can present a united front behind Buhari. With his major pedigree as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the below par performing governor of Sokoto state, as stated earlier, pushed his luck too in the 2018 PDP primaries but was defeated by Atiku Abubakar who had some Generals whose intervention at the primaries helped to sway it to the former Vice President. Before then, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who thought he had the party in his pocket because he was the major financial of its operations, and also because he had a large swathe of the party executives on his side, had wanted to swing it to the Sokoto state governor.

     

    Tambuwal has since concentrated his efforts in building a core group of supporters in the north. All former and current National Assembly members receive one Tambuwal largesse or the other on a regular basis as a way of building a core of loyalists who can help swing the critical, deciding votes during the party’s primary, coming up in the next few months.

     

    Tambuwal of course has tried to build a group of loyalists in most critical sectors of Nigeria’s political economy. He has tried to even put in place a group of journalists too who will look after his interest in the media. He is positioning as the candidate of the core north and his chances may not be affected by the lack of significance his administration has made in the affairs of Sokoto state.

     

    What will shock people as the days go by, is that should the road become too rocky for him in the PDP to achieve his ambition, Tambuwal, who is a governor under the PDP can easily switch and position himself in the APC to vie for the post if eventually it becomes inevitable that it is the north which will present the candidate of the APC for the elections in 2023.

     

  • 2023: APC rejects Saraki’s mass defection ‘prophecy’, says party is solid

    2023: APC rejects Saraki’s mass defection ‘prophecy’, says party is solid

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to claims by former Senate President Bukola Saraki that the party will soon witness mass defection of key players to the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former Kwara governor said a former governor and some bigwigs in the ruling party were set to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Saraki revealed this in an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday. He also debunked insinuations that he might return to APC.

    His words: “There were certain governors that we already know that will leave. And we were not surprised that they defected to the APC. Since then, we have had some bigwigs that joined us. Also this week, there is a former governor that is going to join our party, the PDP.

    “Aside from that, we know that some of the leaders in the ruling party will not defect early; rather, they will do it late. You saw that during the 2015 elections.

    “So, keep watching. Nigerians will not be surprised when they begin to see some defections from the ruling party to the PDP.”

    But the APC in a swift reaction said Saraki was only voicing a mere wishful thinking.

    The National Secretary of APC Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said Saraki was only imagining things.

    “As a political party, we don’t play to the gallery with opposition. We always speak the truth, especially when we are replying to a friend who can still join our party. Mind you, he (Senator Saraki) was one of the founding members of our party, who left for PDP because of power struggle.”

    Puncturing Saraki’s statement on the impending mass defections, Akpanudoedehe said: “I want Nigerians to wait and see if what he says will come to pass. Some politicians are forum seekers. They jump from one place to another. All I will say is that Nigerians should watch and see if his (Saraki) prophesy will come to pass or not.

    “APC is solid. The speculation of the gale of defections is best described as his (Saraki) imagination.”

  • Some APC big players will soon defect to PDP – Saraki

    Some APC big players will soon defect to PDP – Saraki

    Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has hinted that some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, soon.

    Featuring on Arise News on Tuesday, Saraki suggested that some top APC chieftains would defect towards the 2023 general elections, saying bigwigs do not defect at an early stage.

    “… If you remember, I said a couple of times that there were certain governors that we knew that they were going to leave, and they’ve left. So we are not surprised,”

    “We are expecting defections from the ruling party. If you follow politics, you will understand that some of the big players don’t defect early; they defect very late in the game; so just keep watching.

    “Look, we all know that leaders in the ruling parties don’t defect early. They defect late in the game. So, keep watching. Nigerians will not be surprised when you begin to see some defections from the ruling party.” Saraki said.

    The PDP had itself witnessed the defection of some chieftains to the ruling APC.

    State governors like Ben Ayade of Cross River, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, have defected to the ruling party.

  • Electoral Act: Saraki Appeals to NASS Members on Direct Primaries

    Electoral Act: Saraki Appeals to NASS Members on Direct Primaries

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has sent a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly who are in the process of reconciling the different versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by both chambers to save the country the crisis and trouble that will result from the proposal to make direct primaries compulsory for parties in sourcing candidates for elections.

    Saraki in a statement signed on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of his Media Office, noted that the decision to include a provision in the proposed Electoral Act which makes it compulsory for parties to adopt direct primaries will only create a fresh problem while trying to solve another.

    He added that many of the political parties, lack the necessary infrastructure to successfully conduct direct primaries at all levels while the attempt will lead to hundreds of litigations that may jeopardize the general election.

    “I feel compelled to once again appeal to Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives on the proposed Electoral Act because I realise that while the focus of the general public has been on how to get the electronic transmission of results into the proposed law, another potential problem that may clog our electoral process is included in the Electoral Act is this provision on direct primaries.

    “The two options on the table are to make direct primaries compulsory for all the parties or to leave it open for parties to decide. We should take the latter option. Let us leave each party to decide how it wants to source its candidates. The experience we have in the past shows that direct primary will lead to a crisis if forced on the parties. We saw how people sent from the national headquarters to conduct primary elections stayed in hotel rooms and conjured up figures which were announced as the result of direct primary elections.

    “Even if the big parties have the funds and facilities to organise direct primaries nationwide, how about the smaller parties? Can the big parties also provide the facilities and election officials that will be present in all the polling units in the country, either simultaneously or in staggered primaries? Do most of the parties have valid and verified membership registers and other logistics needed for the successful conduct of direct primaries? The direct primaries option will also put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose officials must monitor all the primaries.

    “The direct primaries provision may work for us in the future but not now that we are not prepared for it as the primaries may hold next June. That is just nine months from now. The time for adequate and necessary preparations towards direct primaries is even not there. There will be so many litigations arising from the process. Do we have the time to hold crisis-free primaries and not create booby-traps for the general elections?

    “From my experience, this issue of direct primaries was raised in the Eighth National Assembly when we passed the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill. It has always reared its head as a fall-out of the internal dynamics in certain parties where legislators feel they have been short-changed in the congresses where state governors seized the structure because they felt the process was neither transparent nor free and fair. The legislators may now see the process of passing the Electoral Act as a means to settle the scores. However, in the process that we have now, it is the country that will lose. It is our electoral process that will be undermined.

    “My appeal goes to all members of the National Assembly. Please, do not let us take a position on critical issues based on partisan and personal consideration. Let us put Nigeria first and act in the best interest of our country. During our time in the National Assembly whenever we were confronted with issues like this, we just appealed and prevailed on members to put the nation first before any other consideration. I believe the same appeal should go to the present federal lawmakers.

    “At this point, we also call on the leadership of the various parties to intervene and call all their stakeholders together to address the issues. The bulk of the responsibility to make the legislators do the right thing falls on the ruling party, the APC. It has the numbers to pass whatever bill the leadership desire in the National Assembly. The party should get its members to avoid including provisions in the proposed Electoral Act which may later become a major clog in the smooth conduct of our elections and the credibility of the electoral process”, Saraki stated.

  • Electoral Act: Saraki Urges NASS Panel to Act in National Interest

    Electoral Act: Saraki Urges NASS Panel to Act in National Interest

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has advised members of the Joint Conference Committee of the National Assembly to move fast in considering the different versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by both chambers and let their decisions be guided only by national interest.

    Saraki in a statement by the head of his Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the harmonization of the versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill and its eventual passage should be concluded on time so as to enable the law to be assented to before the political process leading to the 2023 general elections takes off in full gear.

    He added that the success of the next round of elections will depend on the existence of a new enabling law which also have relevant provisions that can guarantee a credible, free, fair and peaceful process.

    “That is why it is important that members of the Conference Committee should strive hard to rise above partisan and personal considerations. They should take decisions solely based on national interest and the need to strengthen our electoral process. The country is bigger than our various political parties. Nigeria is even bigger than any individual or any loyalty we may have to an individual.

    “That is why members of the committee should give genuine and deep consideration to the delicate issue of adopting the provision on electronic transmission of results which will help to strengthen our electoral process, deepen our democracy and improve the level of participation in the elections.

    “Your assignment is very crucial to the future of our country and if through your work we get a good law that will help in reforming the political process, you will be completing a great circle in the building of a legacy. It is a circle that started when the immediate past National Assembly passed the same bill and only failed to get presidential assent because of the politics of the period.

    “I want to remind members of the respective hallowed and honourable chambers that at this point in our national history we cannot fail to seize the opportunity that this bill presents to us to enthrone a credible and transparent electoral process. Whatever you do as you consider this bill is your own role in making history, in saving our democracy and building a future that is stable and progressive, where elected leaders truly represent the interest of the people.

    “It should be noted that even after leaving the National Assembly, I have consistently canvassed the need for us to quickly pass a new Electoral Act that will include important provisions aimed at developing our electoral system. On one occasion in September 2020, during a webinar conference on ‘Electoral Reforms and Democracy’ organised by Centre for Advancement of Civil Liberties, I called on Nigerians to continue to create awareness on the importance of the Bill ahead of the 2023 elections

    “At this point I need to appreciate the efforts of young people across the country who went round spending their time and resources to create events aimed at generating awareness on the Bill, all members of the National Assembly who have made sacrifices to get us this far, various development partners, Civil Society Groups, members of the press and and other stakeholders who played different roles in getting the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill to the semi-final stage where it is almost getting to the point of becoming an effective Act of Parliament. We must continue to improve our system until we achieve the real objective of ‘One Man, One Vote’ and where the votes of the electorate count”, Saraki stated.

  • Saraki condoles with Kwarans over death of Ex-Dep. Governor, Ogundeji

    Saraki condoles with Kwarans over death of Ex-Dep. Governor, Ogundeji

    Immediate-past President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the people of Kwara State over the passing of Chief Joel Ogundeji, who served as Deputy Governor of Kwara State, between 2003 and 2011.

    Saraki, in whose administration as Governor of Kwara State, Ogundeji served, described the death of the late politician, civil servant and educationist as a great loss to the state, particularly at this time, when the wisdom and experience of senior stakeholders are needed to steer the ship of the state.

    “I am extremely sad and heartbroken to learn about the passing of Chief Joel Ogundeji, who served as Deputy Governor, in the eight years of my tenure as the Governor of Kwara State.

    “Throughout his life, which was dedicated to the service of his community, our state and the country, Chief Ogundeji was a steadfast, reliable and experienced leader and educator, whose commitment to the development of our state and its people was undeniable in both his words and action.

    “During our time in the Governor’s Office, Chief Ogundeji’s advice, particularly in dealing with issues concerning the bureaucracy, education sector, and traditional institutions were invaluable. He was also a diligent and loyal deputy, who despite his age, kept up with the fast-pace with which the administration moved in tackling the challenges of the time.

    “As we mourn the passing of this great Kwaran, I pray that Almighty God comforts his wife, Mrs. Comfort Ogundeji, and his children; the people of Iwo in Isin LGA; and the entire government and people of Kwara State. He will be dearly missed,” Saraki said.

    Following Saraki’s election as the candidate of the PDP in the 2003 Gubernatorial Election, Chief Ogundeji was nominated to run alongside Saraki as his Deputy. Ogundeji, who was a devout Christian and a party leader from Iwo, in Isin local government area, was also a senior education officer in four post primary educational institutions between 1970 and 1995.

    The late Deputy Governor was also a career officer in the Kwara State Civil Service from which he voluntarily retired in May 1993 as the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Local Government Service Commission. He was the chairman/administrator of Irepodun Local government, Omu-Aran between June 1986 and December 1987. He also served at Edu LGA in Lafiaji as the Secretary of the council between January 1988 and June 1990.

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, Jonathan, Atiku, others at Yusuf Buhari’s wedding ceremony [ + Photos]

    Buhari, Osinbajo, Jonathan, Atiku, others at Yusuf Buhari’s wedding ceremony [ + Photos]

    President Muhammadu Buhari alongside eminent Nigerians and other dignitaries were at the solemnisation of holy matrimony of his son, Yusuf and Zahra, daughter of the Emir of Bichi held at Bichi, Kano State, on Friday.

    Among those at the ceremony were Vice President Yemi Oosinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Niger President, Mahamadou Isoufou, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, governors, among others.

  • PDP National Reconciliation Committee Chairman, Saraki, others meet in Ibadan

    PDP National Reconciliation Committee Chairman, Saraki, others meet in Ibadan

    Sen. Bukola Saraki, Chairman, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross Rivers, among others, on Tuesday, stormed Ibadan, Oyo State, for a brief close door meeting with Gov. Seyi Makinde.

    According to reports that the close door meeting which was less than 30 minutes was held at the courtesy room of the Governor’s office.

    Speaking with newsmen immediately after the meeting, Makinde said that journalists would be briefed at the end of the elaborate meeting scheduled to hold at the Government House later in the day.

    Sources said that the committee was in Ibadan to meet factional leaders of the party on ways to resolve the lingering crisis rocking the party in the state.

    Saraki is also the immediate past Senate President.

    Other members of the committee led by its Chairman, Sen. Bukola Saraki, include Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and Liyel Imoke, former Cross Rivers Governor.

  • UPDATE: Saraki back home after being grilled by EFCC

    UPDATE: Saraki back home after being grilled by EFCC

    Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is back home after being grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday in Abuja.

    A statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu from Saraki’s Media Office confirmed that Saraki went to the EFCC’s office on Saturday afternoon, on his own volition.

    It said Saraki visited the office of the EFCC to clarify any issue that the commission might have wanted to raise with him.

    “It will be recalled that following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Dr. Saraki during the period of the former Chairman of the EFCC which precluded the commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.

    “Following this complaint, Dr. Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the commission’s office and clarify all issues they might want to raise with him,” the statement said.

    According to the statement, Saraki, therefore, visited the commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions.

    “He is back home. He was not arrested. Dr. Saraki also assured the commission that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention,” it said.