Saraki Appeases APC “gods”, Appoints Marafa, Tinubu Into Juicy Committees

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reached out to the group of Senators
opposing his leadership, offering them juicy committee positions in his
latest reshuffle of leadership of the Senate standing Committees.

One of the most notable critics of the Senate President, Senator Kabiru
Marafa, was appointed Chairman of the Petroleum (Downstream) Committee, a
position considered an upgrade from his previous portfolio of chairman of
the Committee on National Population.

Another critic of Dr. Saraki, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,  was named
chairperson of the Committee on Environment. Mrs. Tinubu, wife of the Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, was a known critic of the Senate President in solidarity
with her husband who was perceived to have been slighted by the emergence
of Saraki as Senate President against his wish. Mrs. Tinubu was formerly
the chairperson of the Committee on Women Affairs.

Senator Suleiman Hukunyi, another critic of the senate president, is now
in charge of the Committee on National Identity.

All the new appointees to what observers said were more important and
juicy committees were members of the Unity Forum, a group of APC senators
who have been opposed to the Saraki-leadership of the Senate.

The group had earlier demanded a restructuring of the Senate committees as
a precondition for peace to return to the factionalized senate.