As entrenched in advanced democracies all over the world and as stipulated in the constitution of Nigeria, the National Assembly’s roles in the democratic space is mainly to legislate for good governance, peace and welfare of the people while also serving as a check on the executive arm of government.
The 8th National Assembly has over its inception being suffering negative public perception because of the alleged jumbo pay of its members, the political shenanigans under which its leadership emerged and the continued graft charges on their necks.
Senator Bukola Saraki who doubles as the present head of the National Assembly was borne out of the many politics and controversies associated with the new administration put in place by a political party largely constituted by what many called a group of bad fellows.
While we cannot credit President Muhammadu Buhari with a transformative genius that has rebounded to the citizens’ wellbeing, we must not ignore his masterstrokes in self preservation.
Within the last three years what we have being confronted with is his cravings for self protection with its trappings of paranoia.
Beyond the need to punish crime, no matter the station of life of the alleged culpable, the alleged linkage of Senate President Bukola Saraki to armed robbers [political thugs] who raided banks and killed over 30 people in Offa, Kwara State seems an extension of what Nigerian Politics has become.
This National Assembly under the leadership of Bukola Saraki is the most dangerously corrupt Assembly in the history of Nigeria.
To say that Senator Saraki is the most powerful political operative in Nigeria is not an understatement.
Even before he rose to power, he was highly connected by virtue of his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki – the strong man of Kwara Politics.
To understand how powerful the Sarakis are, look at the history of their dynasty in the state dating back to the late 1970s.
In demonstration that he is ‘untouchable’, Senator Bukola Saraki has already been involved in series of corruption trials [false declaration of assets, embezzlement of state fund] and is not shying away from adding to his collection of corruption-stained feathers.
The newest scandal is his link to political thugs cum armed robbers.
Apparently, Bukola Saraki is not only a smooth operator but so powerful and lawless.
Recently this administration demonstrated what looks like a rare courage by going after the untouchables in our legislative arm of government.
The question is, is there any real intent to punish corrupt government officials? Or is the story of anti-corruption in Nigeria an illusion?
Gone are the days when corrupt practices led to the demise of the leadership of the Nigerian National Assembly. Where are the likes of Wabara, Okadigbo, Bankole? Bukola Saraki is thriving. In his National Assembly, the likes of Dino Melaye are thriving.
The moral pattern of Nigerian politics has continued to degenerate with the crop of politicians elected into leadership.
To be fair, this is the picture of politics in Nigeria today, from broken election promises, ill-advised law making, corruption and political falsehood which attracts degradation and rejection in a civilized democracy are dismissed as ‘witch hunting’ by people.
Bukola Saraki may not have stooped low as to be the brain behind the recent Offa killings, but one cannot but notice his pattern of corruption in the game of politics.
Facing charges of false declaration of Assets at the CCT, the senate was quick to summon the CCT chairman over allegations of corruption against him.
When the EFCC summoned him [Saraki] over fraud allegations, the same Senate said the security report available to it showed that Magu was not fit to be the chairman of the body.
In retrospect, the case of the Range Rover impounded for fake duty documents, the Senate went to war against the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service, declaring him non-fit for office.
When Senator Omo-Agege distanced himself from the senate presidents’ atrocities, the senate was quick to also suspend him.
In the past few weeks and days, Bukola Saraki has once again being pointed to by a criminal has been their gang’s godfather, the Senate once again declared the Inspector General of Police as an enemy of democracy.
And when President Muhammadu Buhari said he cannot interfere with police investigations, the Senate backing its own, is threatening the President with impeachment.
Senate President Bukola is friendly, well-spoken, and above all a smooth political operator.
There is little question that he is a political hottie now but whether his charms will stand the test of time remains to be seen.
