Nigerians from different political backgrounds have expressed mixed feelings regarding the prevailing ordeal of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was docked by the Code of Conduct Bureau on 22nd of September for allegations bothering on corruption and false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Chasing institutions or individuals doesn’t give or build any value; values are earned by chasing morality and practicing dignity. With such weighty allegations against his person and the preceding reaction across the country, it is apparent that Saraki has lost the respect and dignity among Nigerians who voted for his party in the last election.
The gauntlet that started at the inception of the 8th senate when the upper house helmsman was alleged to have worked against his party interest over the choice of leadership structure has persisted. The allegation he has vehemently denied and went further by promising harmonious relationship with the party who control the executive arm of the government in prosecuting its war against corruption. It is perspicuous that since his emergence as the Senate President, the upper legislative chamber has been stocked, the legislative duties has been dragging, composition of essential committees for smooth running of the Senate has become an uphill task and the chamber become polarised while fighting an already lost battle.
With the role played by the Senate President in ensuring the victory of the party during the last election, his present ordeal was pathetic. The resolution of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring end to the endemic corruption in the land will be irrelevant until cases like the corruption against the No 3 citizen are wrapped up. Senator Saraki as a citizen of Nigeria is qualified to occupy this position. But as much qualified as he may be, disregarding a constituted authority is unwarranted. His persistent refusal by dragging his appearance at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is an indictment for lack of respect for a constituted institution.
The supports received from his colleagues were enormous but such coming from the opposition members sent wrong signals. He needed his party men in the upper chamber at this time. His ability to carry on like this for the next four years is in doubt. Besides, there is now a question of integrity and uprightness. It was once assumed that nothing could dampen the fire of his political dynasty as he remain a glowing ember that never stopped burning among his admirers, but the present predicament is swiftly eroding that fact. The home backings were admirable but the reports of harassment supported by images are enough to rebuff their endorsement. It appears that there is a stage that personal ego would be useless, I am not against his individual ambitions but such should be pursuing within an acceptable region.
It is high time Senator Saraki jettisoned egoism and cast off self glorification by embracing humility and modesty. He has open options; he could submit to his party authority to enhance soft landing. He could also turn the game with impeachment threat to tame the powerful executive arm nevertheless such action against a widely acceptable leader might be catastrophic, beside; getting the required numbers to perfect the move will be back breaking. He can mend walls with his colleagues from his party howbeit this appeared tasking. But in the best interest of the nation, and for the sanctity of his office and for the sake of posterity, he should throw in the towel without further delay. The opprobrium melted to the Senate is enormous and should not be allowed to continue.
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