While speaking after his first appearance at the
Federal High Court alongside three others for alleged forgery today in
Abuja, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, says he is prepared to carry his
cross rather than yield to 'the nefarious agenda of a few
individuals who are bent on undermining our democracy and destabilising
the federal government to satisfy their selfish interests.'
The embattled lawmaker described his latest legal battle as proof of the 'persecution and distraction' that have been visited on him.
Below is his statement in full;
Statement: His Excellency, the President of Senate, Nigeria National Assembly
Dr. Bukola Saraki
June 27, 2016
Today we the leaders of the Nigerian Senate reiterate our innocence
against the charges filed by the Attorney General of the Federal
Government of Nigeria at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court
on the allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Rules document.
In our view, the charges filed by the Attorney General represent a
violation of the principle of the Separation of Powers between the
Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch as enshrined in our
Constitution. Furthermore, it is farcical to allege that a criminal act
occurred during Senate procedural actions and the mere suggestion
demonstrates a desperate overreach by the office of the Attorney
General. These trumped up charges is only another phase in the
relentless persecution of the leadership of the Senate
This misguided action by the Attorney General begs the question,
how does this promote the public interest and benefit the nation? At a
time when the whole of government should be working together to meet
Nigeria’s many challenges, we are once again distracted by the Executive
Branch’s inability to move beyond a leadership election among Senate
peers. It was not an election of Senate peers and Executive Branch
participants.
Over the past year the Senate has worked to foster good relations
with the Executive Branch. It is in all of our collective interests to
put aside divisions and get on with the nation’s business. We risk
alienating and losing the support of the very people who have entrusted
their national leaders to seek new and creative ways to promote a secure
and prosperous Nigeria. As leaders and patriots, it is time to rise
above partisanship and to move forward together.
However, what has become clear is that there is now a government
within the government of President Buhari who have seized the apparatus
of Executive powers to pursue their nefarious agenda.
This latest onslaught on the Legislature represents a clear and
present danger to the democracy Nigerians fought hard to win and
preserve. The suit filed on behalf of the Federal government suggests
that perhaps some forces in the Federal Republic have not fully embraced
the fact that the Senate’s rules and procedures govern how the
legislative body adjudicates and resolves its own disputes.
Let it be abundantly clear, both as a citizen and as a foremost
Legislator, I will continue to rise above all the persecution and
distraction that have been visited on me. In the words of Martin Luther
King Junior, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at a time of
challenge and controversy”.
I will remain true and committed to the responsibilities that my
citizenship and my office impose on me. Without doubt, the highest of
those responsibilities is the steadfast refusal to surrender to the
subversion of our democracy and the desecration of the Senate. This is a
cross I am prepared to carry. If yielding to the nefarious agenda of a
few individuals who are bent in undermining our democracy and
destabilising the Federal government to satisfy their selfish interests
is the alternative to losing my personal freedom, let the doors of jails
be thrown open and I shall be a happy guest.
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