Senate President Bukola Saraki Post Forgery Trial Statement Is An Act Of Irresponsibility

By COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLES MANDATE (CPPM)

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) notes with concern and condemns in strong terms, the statements of calumny and blackmail credited to Senate President Bukola Saraki against the Executive aftermath the commencement of his trial and other co accused for forgery of the Senate standing rules at the Federal high court in Abuja yesterday, 27th June, 2016.

We regard the statement from Senate President Bukola Saraki as embarrassing, irresponsible, barbaric, reckless, inciting, cheap blackmail and an assault on the exalted office of the leadership of the legislature which is the bastion of our democracy.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is imperative to make it clear to all discerning minds that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly spells out the functions of the three arms of government in a democracy in which the powers to prosecute against any infraction of the law is vested in the executive without fear or favour.

Thus, one is disturbed by the resort to crudity and blackmail of the executive for discharging its constitutional responsibility by the office of the Senate President which is supposed to be a watchdog and complementary partner with the Executive in keeping faith with the constitution.

We must remind the Senate President that he is not above the law, neither does he have immunity against criminal prosecution if he is alledged to have broken the law and thus admonish that if indeed, he was a distinguished and honourable member who is conscious of the integrity and honour which is conferred on membership of the legislature in a democracy, he would have taken the most honourable path of honourably resigning his position as the Senate President in order to focus on his trial for criminality and corruption rather than dragging the image of the house into public opprobrium.

We must admonish that as long as the trial of the Senate President for alledged false declaration of assets, money laundering, forgery, etc continue in the courts, he must refrain from making inflammatory, reckless and irresponsible statements which demeans the integrity of the Senate of which he is a member.

We must also use this opportunity to warn members of the Senate to realize that Nigerians are more than ever vigilant to observe and monitor the exercise of their constitutional functions which should be about the primacy of the interest of the citizenry rather than pettiness to protect the personal interest of one of its own in the words of Senator Abiodun Olujimi from Ekiti state “whose house is on fire” for standing trial for alledgedly running foul of the law.

Thanks.
Yours Sincerely,
Nelson Ekujumi,
Executive Chairman.