Senators divided over calls of Saraki’s resignation due to CCT trials

Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is beginning to yield a toll on the unity of senators, particularly those from the ruling APC.

Senators from the party rose from a marathon meeting on Wednesday, with divided views on how to handle the issue of whether or not Saraki should be made to resign from his position in views of the ongoing trial.

The meeting, which allegedly took place at the residence of Senator Magartarkada Wammako in Asokoro, Abuja ended with a divided house as senators could not agree on what determination to pass on to the Senate President.

While some canvassed that Saraki should be told to resign, his loyalists opposed the move, arguing that he has not been proven guilty by the CCT, as anyone could be the victim of false allegations.

Sources at the meeting said members of the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) argued that Saraki’s trial at the CCT, and revelations so far made were a dent on the image of the Senate, and that his resignation would save the institution from more embarrassments.

According to them, the image of the Senate is being dragged in the mud as its presiding officer is put in the dock while revelations of how he allegedly mismanaged the funds of his state were being exposed in public glare”.

“That is why we asked him to step aside so that he would be able to face his trial and if he is vindicated, he could return to his seat. We believe that is better, compared to a situation where he would be sitting in the dock as the Senate President”, the Senator said.

However, Saraki’s loyalists, declared that they would protect the seat of the Senate President, currently occupied by Saraki, with the last blood in their veins, maintaining that they would continue to stand firmly behind Saraki and ensure that his Senate presidency seat was protected.

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim representing Kwara South senatorial district, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting, said that the senators reiterated their earlier stance that Saraki’s trial was a “mere persecution” and an attempt to tarnish his image.

According to him, “A dispassionate analysis of the proceeding of the CCT yesterday (Tuesday) has pointed to the fact that the APC-led executive is still embittered against Saraki over the manner of his election as the Senate president.

“This is why we are standing for the Senate President and we will so do till the very end. We are doing this not for him but for the institution of the Senate that he eminently represents. We will never allow any arm of the government to rubbish the cherished autonomy of the Senate.

”The calls in some quarters that the Senate President should resign from his position are borne out of ignorance and pure hatred. We describe the call as ‘wicked and unfounded.”