Why Senate Regects Magu Nomation Again

Nigerian Senate again rejected the nomination of the Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the second and final time.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki while presiding at the plenary said with the rejection of Magu, he seizes to be Acting Chairman of the EFCC. Adding that President Muhamadu Buhari should nominate another head for the anti-graft agency.

A confirmed report has that the State Security Service has insisted the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, is not fit to head the anti-graft agency because he lacks integrity, a lawmaker has said.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PROCEEDS ON VACATION

President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annua vacation. He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.

During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.

In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated.

While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President.

Don’t Despair, Things Will Get Better In 2017 – Saraki

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that things would get better for Nigerians in 2017.

A statement by Mr Yusufh Olaniyonu, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President in Abuja on Saturday, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in spite of the current hardship.

Saraki commended Nigerians for their resilience in the face of difficulties, stressing that the nation’s challenges were surmountable.

He called for collective efforts to end recession and work towards growing the economy in the New Year, adding that there was need for unity of purpose and focus among Nigerians.

Open the Prison's Gate, I Am Ready to Go to Jail - Saraki

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said he was ready to lose his freedom to entrench democracy and stabilise governance in the country.

This is contained in a statement signed by him and issued on Monday in Abuja.

Saraki was reacting to the trial of the leadership of the Senate, which began on Monday, over alleged forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Orders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Mr. Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others over the alleged forgery.

SENATOR SARAKI AND THE FICTIVE CABAL - ADESINA

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, claims there is “now a government within the government of President Buhari”, which has allegedly seized the apparatus of Executive powers to pursue a nefarious agenda.

This claim by Senator Saraki would have been more worth the while, if it had been backed with more information. If he had proceeded to identify those who constitute the “government within the government,” it would have taken the issue beyond the realm of fiction and mere conjecture.

NIGERIA CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: SPEECH DELIVERED BY ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI AT THE RETREAT ORGANISED BY THE SENATE AD HOC COMMITTEE

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AT THE RETREAT ORGANISED BY THE SENATE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW ON 17TH JUNE, 2016.

PROTOCOL

1. Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, you would recall that in earlier this year upon the inauguration of this all important committee, I did make the point that the members of this committee had been arrived at in recognition of the enormity and solemnity attached to the exercise of constitutional review.

2. This is why the essence of this retreat cannot be overemphasized.

3. Since, independence, our nation has sought to develop for itself workable Constitution on which her unity can be perfected. Other nations have trodden a similar path. For instance, following the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War in 1776, the original 13 States of the United States of America operated an Article of Confederacy, a necessary but unwieldy document that institutionalized a central government. The Article lasted for 8 years before it was jettisoned for the current Constitution of the United States.


4. Constitution making has always been a challenging issue in any polity. Because it is expected to put together the aspiration, commitment, values and agreement of different communities, debates can be polarizing, contentious and in some cases conflictual. These defaults issues should be viewed as part of the process of building consensus and strengthening our democracy. As polarizing as these issues are, with robust engagement, inclusive participation and process-led initiatives we can resolve the contentions and agree on some of the issues.

Press Statement: Oba Of Benin: We’ve lost A People's Monarch, says Saraki

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the government and people of Edo State over the call to glory of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, as he said "we have lost a People's monarch.

In a statement by the Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the President of the Senate, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late Oba as a just, fair-minded, courageous, benevolent and a people's monarch who lived his entire life in the service of his people as a prince and king while also serving the nation as a bureaucrat and diplomat of high repute.

The Senate President who received the news of Oba Erediauwa's transition with great shock said, "a glorious chapter in the annals of the Benin Kingdom has just come to a close. My grief stricken heart however goes out to the immediate family of the Oba, the Benin Traditional Council, the people and Government of Edo State, over the glorious but yet sad exit of the Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa - our highly revered King.