Why the emergence of Saraki is a recipe for disaster.

Editors note: Barely one month after coming into power, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been plunged into crisis following the political scheming of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara. Having started on a poor note, is there any hope that the eight National Assembly will make positive impacts on Nigerians?

In this piece, Kess Ewubare focuses on the emergence of Saraki as the president of the eight Senate and what future it holds.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or other contributors.

Story highlights:

– A treacherous win

– Ambitions can make you Senate president, but cannot keep you there

– A disaster waiting to happen

– (Naij.com) On June 9, the battle for the leadership of the 8th National Assembly came to an unprecedented end with the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki representing Kwara central as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara, who represents Bogoro/ Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in Bauchi state, as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

The election of the duo has thrown the All progressives Congress (APC) in a state of confusion as the party maintains that neither Saraki nor Dogara is its preferred candidate.

But as controversial as the election of Yakubu Dogara is, he’s is less of a sham compared to that of Bukola Saraki, who rode to victory in the absence of Senator Ahmad Lawan, his rival. Dogara may claim that he defeated Femi Gbajabiamilla, who represents Surulere federal constituency, Lagos state, in a keenly contested election.

The same however, cannot be said of the victory of Saraki, which was more of a selection than an election. No wonder the former Kwara state governor opened his mouth in glee to celebrate his treacherous victory, knowing fully well that in a keenly contested election, he stood no chance at all.

Now, he has emerged as the president of the Senate against the decision of APC leaders. He was also elected when most Senators from the APC were at the International Conference Centre waiting to hold a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the election of the Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Since his infamous win, Bukola Saraki has been gallivanting the country struggling to buy legitimacy for his back door victory. He started by reaching out to the APC leadership and his colleagues opposed to his controversial selection

Intimating the public about Saraki’s peace initiatives, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, a loyalist to the Senate president told the Punch on June 15 that:

“We are currently meeting with our colleagues in the Senate. Apart from the fact that the Senate President has been meeting with those who are aggrieved, we, members of the Like Minds Senators, are also engaging them on one-on-one basis.

“We are also meeting with our party leadership and I think the peace moves are achieving good result. It is in the interest of everybody that we have a united Senate.”

On June 20, Saraki embarked on another peace mission by visiting former president, Olusegun Obasanjo in his Abeokuta, Ogun State Hilltop residence, in an apparent move to douse the tension caused by his cheap victory.

Sources privy to the meeting between Saraki and Obasanjo said the Senate president was in Abeokuta to beg Obasanjo to reconcile him with President Muhammadu Buhari and his party.

Although the party leaders say they have accepted his emergence, this has done little to heal the wounds of aggrieved party members who have demanded for the immediate resignation of the party’s National chairman,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun over allege complicity in the process that saw Saraki emerge as Senate president.

No doubt, Saraki’s selfish ambitions will further dent the image of the members of the legislature who are viewed by many Nigerians as more interested in jumbo allowances than making legislations that advance the course of the country.

It takes more than ambition to succeed as Senate president in a country that has lost trust in its legislators both at the state and federal level.

It takes more than ambition to lead other Senators representing various constituencies of the country and pilot the National Assembly to make essential contributions to the nations development.

The sterling example exhibited by Senator David Mark who oversaw the Senate for eight years in a manner that was befitting of honour, shows that selfish ambition devoid of experience, willingness to serve and political acumen cannot guarantee success, as in the case of Saraki.

While the Seventh House of Representatives will be remembered for fighting and defeating leadership imposition and intimidation among others.

The Seventh Senate will ever radiate of the maturity displayed by David Mark who ensured that the Senate confirmed to the sterling standard of behavior expected of it by Nigerians.

Senator Bukola Saraki has succeeded in winning the war by outwitting his opponent  to become Senate president, but he will always be faced with the battle of trying sell his legitimacy first to his colleagues in the chamber and to Nigerians, at the expense overseeing credible laws that should impact the lives of Nigerians. Added to the future wars that await him on his hallowed seat.

From the way Bukola Saraki has started, no one needs a soothsayer to tell that his reign as Senate president will surely be a disaster. I de laugh.