On June 7, 2015, the then brand new President Buhari traveled to Germany to attend the G7 meeting as a guest.
He was just 10 days old in office.
But before he left, the party had agreed that Ahmad Lawan was going to be the Senate President after Sen George Akume from Tinubu’s camp had withdrawn from the race.
Sen Bukola Saraki also wanted it and even though, Lawan had defeated him twice in mock elections conducted by the leadership of the party, he refused to step down.
At around 12:30am on June 9, 2015, President Buhari arrived from Germany and fixed a meeting of APC lawmakers to resolve the issue of electing the leadership of the 8th Assembly for 10am at the International Conference Centre but the letter of proclamation for the inauguration of the Assembly has been sent to the Clerks of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
So while faithful APC lawmakers gathered at the ICC to meet the President, Saraki, some APC rebels and all PDP Senators were at the National Assembly complex.
The Clerk read the President’s proclamation and the voting was done by Saraki and his men and he became the Senate President with Ike Ekweremadu emerging as his Deputy Senate President.
Dogara and Lasun did same in the House of Representatives.
The news got to ICC and everyone there waiting for the President was stunned!
Sen Oluremi Tinubu was particularly angry over the coup carried out by Saraki and co.
Saraki became the Emperor at the Red Chamber whose words could not be challenged. He was dishing out suspension to any ‘erring’ Senator. Dino was the powerful ally on the floor and Chairman FCT Committee. Saraki’s draconian style was only checked by Sen Ovie Omo-Agege later in the life of that Senate.
Dogara was fully in charge of the lower chamber too.
Buhari’s budgets were padded.
Buhari’s budgets were rustled.
Every effort to get a January-December budget cycle was frustrated.
His nominees found it difficult to be cleared.
Ahmadu Ali was asked to wear a Customs uniform to get screened by the Senate. They had their own candidate in mind and that was the person they wanted to impose.
If truth is what we want to hear, that National Assembly worked against the progress of the Buhari government yet the President could not get them removed because he did not want to play the politics that is required to tame the devils.
Yesterday, Sen Akpabio visited the President-elect and while I will not conclude that he is the next SP, whoever that will hold that very important office must be supported by the President-elect and if per adventure that does not happen, the SP must be ready not to try to work against good works of the Presidency of Tinubu for our general good if he does not want to lose the seat immediately and unceremoniously.
Tinubu will not allow anyone to serve as barrier to salvaging the country.
Today, Saraki danced in Ilorin markets yet lost his polling unit.
Dogara has become a wanderer.
Lasun is confused in Osun.
Ekweremadu is to serve a prison term in UK over an unfortunate case to rescue his daughter from death.
The Legislature is independent but not necessarily a foe especially as Saraki and Dogara did between 2015 and 2019 when Oshiomole came and remove the cancers.
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