By Mumini AbdulKareem
Forum of Former Members of Kwara State House of Assembly under the banner of the R-APC has hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court exonerating the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, of alleged false assets declaration.
It declared that the verdict has laid to rest sustained political persecution by some forces in the party, which was cloaked in anti-corruption crusade.
A statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, Hon. Layi Ayinde and Hon. Isiaka Mogaji, respectively and made available to National Pilot in Ilorin, said the apex court judgment was long foreseen and predicted.
The statement described the judgement as landmark in the nation’s democratic experience and an indication that no matter how long falsehood races, truth shall catch up with it in no time.
The Forum stated that Saraki has become a force to reckon with in the national political process and urged those in the corridor of powers to tolerate dissent voices instead of resorting to the usual “pull him down syndrome”.
The statement said Saraki, throughout his eight years tenure as Governor of Kwara State, institutionalised transparency and accountability in running the affairs of Kwara State and wondered why some politicians in the guise of unfashionable trial wanted to manipulate judiciary to settle personal scores with him.
The former Lawmakers admonished the political class and those they referred to as power mongers, to realise that what goes around would surely come around.
The statement praised the Judiciary, particularly the five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Dattijo Muhammad, who unanimously upheld Saraki’s appeal, by dismissing the ruminating three counts and consequently declaring the evidence led by the FG prosecution as hearsay.
Similarly, former lawmaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Hon Nimota Ibrahim reacting to the issue noted that “it was a traumatic experience for him and us his followers but ended the way it ended because it was ill motivated.
“His other detractors will say he is too ambitious, I wonder why and when has it become an offence to have ambition. Has he aspired or contested an office three/four times? It’s unfortunate that under APC’s watch injustice and impunity is striving. I hope this verdict will create an opportunity for our leaders to turn new leaf and be fair to all manners of people without affection or ill will.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Poverty Alleviation, Hajia Aisha Sulu Gambari has lauded the Supreme Court’s judgement on the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Hajia Sulu-Gambari in a statement she personally signed and sent to National Pilot said the case was instituted without any basis and substantial evidence.
The statement noted that the defendant had no case against the Senate President except relying on “mere hearsay”.
The SSA congratulated Saraki for his vindication and described the judgment as a victory for democracy.
“I hereby congratulate my leader, Dr Bukola Saraki, our royal father, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari on the well deserved and meritorious judicial victory and advised Kwarans and Nigerians to irrespective of party differences join hands with him to move the state and Nigeria forward.
Also in her reaction, the Women Group Coordinator Mrs Toyin Saraki, Hajia Kudi Lawal, said “we all know that from the beginning to the end of the trial, it was nothing but political persecution and obviously, some people were behind the vindictive process.
Thank God that it is all over and our leader can now move to the next step and as usual, wherever he goes, we follow him”.
It declared that the verdict has laid to rest sustained political persecution by some forces in the party, which was cloaked in anti-corruption crusade.
A statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, Hon. Layi Ayinde and Hon. Isiaka Mogaji, respectively and made available to National Pilot in Ilorin, said the apex court judgment was long foreseen and predicted.
The statement described the judgement as landmark in the nation’s democratic experience and an indication that no matter how long falsehood races, truth shall catch up with it in no time.
The Forum stated that Saraki has become a force to reckon with in the national political process and urged those in the corridor of powers to tolerate dissent voices instead of resorting to the usual “pull him down syndrome”.
The statement said Saraki, throughout his eight years tenure as Governor of Kwara State, institutionalised transparency and accountability in running the affairs of Kwara State and wondered why some politicians in the guise of unfashionable trial wanted to manipulate judiciary to settle personal scores with him.
The former Lawmakers admonished the political class and those they referred to as power mongers, to realise that what goes around would surely come around.
The statement praised the Judiciary, particularly the five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Dattijo Muhammad, who unanimously upheld Saraki’s appeal, by dismissing the ruminating three counts and consequently declaring the evidence led by the FG prosecution as hearsay.
Similarly, former lawmaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Hon Nimota Ibrahim reacting to the issue noted that “it was a traumatic experience for him and us his followers but ended the way it ended because it was ill motivated.
“His other detractors will say he is too ambitious, I wonder why and when has it become an offence to have ambition. Has he aspired or contested an office three/four times? It’s unfortunate that under APC’s watch injustice and impunity is striving. I hope this verdict will create an opportunity for our leaders to turn new leaf and be fair to all manners of people without affection or ill will.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Poverty Alleviation, Hajia Aisha Sulu Gambari has lauded the Supreme Court’s judgement on the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Hajia Sulu-Gambari in a statement she personally signed and sent to National Pilot said the case was instituted without any basis and substantial evidence.
The statement noted that the defendant had no case against the Senate President except relying on “mere hearsay”.
The SSA congratulated Saraki for his vindication and described the judgment as a victory for democracy.
“I hereby congratulate my leader, Dr Bukola Saraki, our royal father, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari on the well deserved and meritorious judicial victory and advised Kwarans and Nigerians to irrespective of party differences join hands with him to move the state and Nigeria forward.
Also in her reaction, the Women Group Coordinator Mrs Toyin Saraki, Hajia Kudi Lawal, said “we all know that from the beginning to the end of the trial, it was nothing but political persecution and obviously, some people were behind the vindictive process.
Thank God that it is all over and our leader can now move to the next step and as usual, wherever he goes, we follow him”.
