– A member of the SUF, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that they were of the opinion that Saraki should save the image of the Senate by resigning Following the ongoing trial of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been divided. April 6 to decide the fate of the embattled Senate president but could not arrive at a conclusion. It was gathered that while a section of the senators who attended the meeting were insisting that a resolution for Saraki’s resignation be passed across to him, others alleged to be Saraki’s loyalists aired divergent opinion. A member of the SUF, who declined to give his name, disclosed that they were of the opinion that Saraki should save the image of the Senate by resigning following the embarrassing revelations from the CCT. “The image of the Senate is definitely 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 SUF member said. However, the Senate president’s loyalists after the meeting vowed to protect Sariki’s position with the last blood in their veins. They reiterated their commitment to stand by the Senate president as he undergoes trial at the CCT, adding that they would make sure his seat is well protected. Speaking on the issue, Rafiu Ibrahim, a senator representing Kwara South senatorial district after the meeting, said the lawmakers reaffirmed their earlier stance that Saraki’s trial was a “mere persecution” and an attempt to tarnish his image. “We have since discovered that the trial of the Senate President is a mere attempt to blackmail him and make him look bad in the court of public opinion. No more, no less. “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. For those calling for the impeachment of the Senate President, we urge them to avail themselves of the provisions of the law relating to such a sensitive step. “As far as we are concerned, there is nothing like that on the table, and if anybody is trying to import that from the outside of the Senate, God helps them. All I know is that they will have to produce as many as 100 senators to achieve that aim. “As long as they don’t have the majority, the call is a tall dream that will remain a figment of the imagination of the groups and their sponsors,” Ibrahim said. READ ALSO: Senators speak about attempts to impeach Saraki Saraki’s case, however, became more complicated after the revelation from the Panama Papers investigation documents that leaked from law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in creating offshore shell companies. The Senate president is alleged to have failed to declare at least four offshore assets listed under his wife’s name- Toyin, which appeared in the leaked papers. The Senate president is already facing charges on false declaration of assets while he was governor of the Kwara state from 2003 to 2011, though he maintained not to be guilty. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has hinted on plans to arrest Nigerians named in the Panama Paper leaks with secret offshore companies. Recalled that the vital files released by the investigative group had so far exposed several political actors, public office holders, footballers and celebrities around the world. Nigerians named in the leak are embattled senate president, Bukola Saraki, Former Senate President David Mark, Saraki’s wife, Toyin, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Mr. Laolu Saraki, Mr. Obi Asika, Olufela Ibidapo and former Defence Minister Gen. T.Y Danjuma.
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