Kwara APC chair’s verdict: Saraki’s emergence as Senate President in order

The crack in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President appears to be widening.
Contrary to the position of the national leadership of the party to challenge Saraki’s emergence, the Kwara State Chairman of the ruling party, Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani, declared on Thursday that such an effort would be an exercise in futility.
To him, Saraki remains the Senate President and nobody or nothing can change that.
He urged aggrieved APC Senators to cooperate with Saraki and other principal officers of the National Assembly and avoid any rancour and acrimony that might distract them from carrying out their legislative duties.
Balogun-Fulani spoke during two prayer sessions held by the party members to express gratitude to God for making the Senate presidency ambition of Saraki a reality.
The first prayer session was held in Islamic way while the second was an inter-denominational prayer by christian members of the parry.
The prayer sessions, which drew a mammoth crowd of APC members and supporters, were held at the party’s office at GRA, Ilorin.
Balogun-Fulani said that the party believes in the efficacy of prayers, hence their decision to seek spiritual intervention for Saraki to emerge as Senate President.
He described Saraki as a “changed man” who would bring about the change Nigerians desire, saying the change has started with the emergence of Saraki as Senate President.
To him, Saraki will drive the ship of Nigeria to a greater height, especially by ending corruption in all facets of the nation.
Also, the Leader of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Forum and former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the State Governor, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, advised APC leaders to stop blackmailing Saraki.
Addressing a press conference at the Charity Hall, Ilofa Road, Ilorin, he said the allegation made by APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammad, against the Senate President “is capable of destroying the image of the party in the country”.
“It is bizarre to imagine that a people’s candidate will be suppressed for the wish of one man in the party. What then is the change we are talking about? Insinuation of Saraki and the Clerk of the House snubbing the President is only but wicked and perilous. The clerk of the House has a duty to perform to protect the NASS institution, no matter the personality of people involved and this he did”.
“We are convinced”, he continued “that Senator Bukola Saraki did not snub the president or any party leadership. It was indeed inauguration time, not scheming time, even the president had sent a proclamation message that was read before the proceeding”
According to Ajape, Saraki “is well qualified to be elected Senate President, having served as a Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo and a two-term Governor of Kwara State”.
He saluted the courage of the Eighth National Assembly members for the maturity displayed in electing a leader they believed in, irrespective of party affiliation.
Ajape advised the 51 lawmakers from the party, who accidentally missed the election, to give full support and cooperation to Saraki with a view to ensuring that the party fulfils its promises to Nigerians.