Sequel to their arraignment at an Abuja High Court monday on allegations of forging the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Saraki, in separate statements poured out their sincere expressions #Akonuche....a statement personally signed by Bukola Saraki, said he would fight the current battles confronting him to the end and would be glad to end up in jail rather than surrender the leadership of the Senate to the “nefarious agenda of a few individuals”.
He also claimed that there was a government within the government of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which had seized the apparatus of executive powers to pursue their nefarious agenda.
But in a swift riposte, the presidency yesterday dismissed the Senate President’s allegation, stating that to claim Buhari was anybody’s stooge “is not only ridiculous, but also preposterous”.
Saraki accused those behind his arraignment as enemies who want to desecrate the Senate and subvert democracy.
“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 on 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,” he said.
He proclaimed his innocence of the alleged forgery and described the charges as nothing but a violation of the principle of separation of powers as well as another desperate move in the persistent persecution of the Senate leadership.
Saraki described the action of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who charged him and others to court over alleged forgery as misguided.
Justifying his claim that there was another government within the government of President Buhari, Saraki said the government had continued to chase the leaders of the Senate instead of addressing the myriad of crises confronting the nation.
“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 are 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, it has become clear that there is now a government within the government of President Buhari which has 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’,” Saraki said.
According to Thisday, In another statement, Ekweremadu advised those in power not to use the law as an instrument to “bludgeon innocent citizens into submitting to the untamed wishes and caprices of witch-hunters”.
Speaking after his arraignment yesterday, the Deputy Senate President expressed confidence that his trial would afford Nigerians to see clearly that the charges proferred against him were “nothing but meretricious thrash”, adding that democracy was not military rule.
He said: “For me, I find great comfort in the immortal words of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who said that ‘history will vindicate the just and the wicked will not go unpunished’.”
Insisting that his trial was political and could endanger democracy, he further added: “Let us make no mistake about this: it is not Senator Ike Ekweremadu or Senator Bukola Saraki or the other accused persons that are on trial; rather the hallowed democratic principles of the separation of powers, rule of law, the legislature, and indeed democracy itself are on a ridiculous trial.
“Mere anarchy is unleashed upon the land, but our courage must not fall apart. No condition is permanent and nothing lasts forever.”
He stated that as a law-abiding citizen and a firm believer in the rule of law and all the rights and privileges it advertises, “it is only in my place not to commit a crime, but way out of my reach not to be accused of one, especially when the instruments of power become apparatuses for oppression of the innocent and voices of opposition”.
He added: “Indeed, I, in no way or fashion claim to be above the law, just that I believe that the law should not be used as an instrument to bludgeon innocent citizens into submitting to the untamed wishes and caprices of witch-hunters.
“However, I put my trust in God, the court, and the overwhelming solidarity of the good people of Nigeria. When the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this charge is nothing but meretricious thrash. Time, occasions, and provocations like this will teach their own lessons.
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