SARAKI'S CCT TRIAL FALLOUT: Senators ‘Trap’ For Buhari’s Ministerial Nominees

President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki

By tomorrow, legislators who have been on recess will return to the Red Chamber to commence their legislative duties needed for the stimulation of the country’s economy. Before the latest break, the legislators had gone on recess three times in view of the hiccups that trailed the emergence of Senate President Bukola Saraki on June 9th when the 8th Assembly was proclaimed.

Like the three previous recesses, the six weeks holiday which will elapse tomorrow, was equally characterized by issues and events that put the Red Chamber and the lawmakers in the news.

Daily Trust report continues:

Although some of the issues have come and gone, those still hanging will no doubt dominate the debate of the lawmakers, and as well shape their activities for months to come.
Barring any last minute change, by 10.am the senators would be on their coveted seats and there is the likelihood that in hush tones, they will start with the discussion of the docking of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

About a week ago, Saraki was docked at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over 13-count criminal charges, bordering on false declaration of assets and operation of foreign account during his eight years tenure as governor of Kwara State.

In the presence of 51 of his colleagues, embattled Saraki pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges preferred against him by the anti-graft agency. To many of the lawmakers, the trial of Saraki was ignited by the Villa.

For instance, at an emergency meeting attended by about 50 senators, they allegedly blamed the Presidency for Saraki’s ordeal. In fact, an attempt by Deputy Senate leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who chaired the secret meeting to exonerate President Muhammadu Buhari from Saraki’s travail, was reportedly rebuffed by the angry lawmakers.

Saraki himself in a statement had blamed his ordeal on people whom he said are angry with his emergence as the Senate President. To him, his trial was parts of ploy to get him out of the Senate President’s seat through the backdoor.

As widely reported, on June 9, Saraki had allegedly connived with senators who are mainly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as their president and number three citizen in the country.

It was widely believed that Saraki’s ‘marriage’ with the PDP senators gave room for the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.

Probably, after discussing the Saraki saga, next to come to the senators’ minds would be the issue of the screening of the ministerial list.

Though the National Assembly was yet to get any information on the matter, Buhari had while speaking in Ghana pledged to appoint his ministers this September.

Already, it was widely reported that the ministerial nominees have been screened by the Department for State Services (DSS).

So, any moment from now the names of the nominees would be forwarded to the Red Chamber for screening in line with constitutional provision.

With less than 72 hours to the expiration of Buhari’s pledge on the constitution of his cabinet, Senate watchers are of the view that the frosty relationship between the Villa and the leadership of the Senate will shape the screening of the ministerial nominees.

Pundits believe that the two camps in the Senate will slug it out during the exercise.
Sources said the Unity Forum, which is Senator Ahmed Lawan’s camp, will be on ground to ensure the successful screening of the nominees.

For their part, the senators in the camp of Saraki, popularly known as the ‘Like Minds’ may likely try to frustrate the exercise in view of the ordeal of one of their own.

Contacted on phone, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator Ita S. Enang declined comment.

Our correspondent reports that the screening of the ministerial nominees would be the first major duty of Enang, who was appointed by Buhari in August.

Before Enang’s appointment, the Senate had screened and confirmed the Service Chiefs as well as some of the Resident Electoral Commission of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted by Buhari.

Speaking in an interview, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) said the screening would not be business as usual.

“The Senate is not a praise chapel and as such you should not expect it to play the role of a chorister in every issue. The Senate is not also an opposition forum or a convergence of forces antagonistic to the executive or judicial arm of the state. It is an independent democratic institution with clearly spelt out functions and one of which is to screen political appointees.
“I’m not aware of any plot to punish or penalize any ministerial appointee because of the Senate president. I advised the Senate President to confidently appear before the CCT, if he had nothing to hide. I’m advising the appointees to confidently appear before the Senate if they have nothing to hide,” he said.

He said all ministers will be duly screened according to the rules and ethics of the Senate.
However, he said there is a caveat. “The idea of take-a bow-and-go may not be adopted.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said there will not be problem with the clearance of the ministerial nominees.

“Senators are perfectly aware of our obligations and oath of office not to allow our personal interest affect our official conducts. We assure Nigerians that there is no problem whatsoever.
“We also assure Nigerians that there is no problem between the President and the Senate. It is only mischief makers that are trying to create the impression that all is not well.

“We are solidly behind Buhari in all his programmes and policies.  We assure Nigerians that they will not hear of any friction between us and Mr. President," he said.

Will the senators vent their anger on the President’s Ministerial nominees? This will be unraveled in the coming days.