All may not be well with Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the arrest warrant issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against Senate President Bukola Saraki over his failure to appear before the tribunal on charges of false declaration of assets.
Many within the party believe that the whole issue is the handiwork of President Muhammadu Buhari and National Leader, Bola Tinubu, who were against Saraki’s emergence as Senate President.
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One of those in the APC who holds this view is the The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Timi Frank, who on Saturday, September 19, 2015 wrote an open letter to the President.
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In the letter titled “Urgent Need to End This Impunity against Saraki” published by The Nation, Frank called on Buhari to intervene in the Saraki episode so that the crisis will not consume the APC so the party could deliver on its change mantra.
The letter reads in part:
“Mr President, it is worthy to note that Saraki in recent times has been treated as an outcast. This is very bad development which if not carefully managed will consume the All Progressives Congress and doom our democracy. What has happened unfortunately does not reflect the change we promised Nigerians.
“Is Senator Saraki the only Former governor in Nigeria? Are there no other former governors especially from the South West and other zones that are not just enjoying their booty but are integral part of the government? Yes, Saraki is not the anointed candidate for the senate presidency, but his colleagues elected him. So, why don’t we allow him some peace to deliver on the promises of change?
“Mr President, the executive needs the legislature; hence, the relationship must be cordial because if this situation is not properly managed, Nigerians will be disappointed in us as a party, a development that portends unfavorable results when we go to the polls in 2019.
“As far as Nigerians are concerned, it is very difficult to convince them that this orchestrated onslaught against Saraki is not a case of witch hunt. Nigerians are more politically aware now than ever.
“Sir, you need to act to stop some of these people hiding under your good name to perpetuate this grievous evil. The begging for an answer is: If Saraki were not the Senate President, would all these acts of intimidation and maltreatment be visited on him?
“Please, kindly intervene in good time to stop this apparent political persecution as some few people are now hiding under your name to reap political dividends from this impunity.
“We cannot afford to suffer from the conspiracy of silence at this time because as they say, evil thrives when good people keep quiet. It may be Saraki’s turn today, but it could be anybody tomorrow…’’
“I also want to appeal to all Nigerians to pray for senate president; Dr. Senate President Abubakar Saraki in this trying period as I have no doubt that he is one of the few patriotic Nigerians with so much in stock for this country.”
