Bukola Saraki has been marked for ‘destruction’ by the ‘Hawks’ in the
ruling All Progressives Party (APC). They want him out at any cost. This
is the group that Saraki recently described as “government within
government.” He is probably restrained in the use of radical words like
‘Cabal,’ ‘Mafia,’ due to the integrity of the office he occupies as the
President of the Senate and as a result of his continuous search for
political solution. But as we have seen, and regardless of the onslaught
and the pains he has suffered, it appears Saraki’s preference for
political diplomacy is still preferred by him to the ‘unknown’ cost of
confrontation – option B. His latest comment “I remain loyal to the APC,”
and the re-allocation of ‘juicy’ committees to Senators opposed to his
emergence, could also be interpreted in the political framework of his
option A – diplomacy.
The wild and unrestrained impulses with which those involved in this
“operation demolish Saraki,” have carried on so far, do not suggest they
are likely to adopt political solution or give up on this matter. These
Hawks are consumed by the urge to seek political retribution and by
extension reduce the burden of challenge for 2019 power struggle – an
agitation which started in the APC since April, 2015 before the
swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is also unlikely that even a
signed pact of “I’ll not contest 2019 Presidency,” by Saraki will sway
their minds. It is a matter of life and death for them – wickedness taken
too far. They had succeeded in massaging the ego of Mr. President that
Saraki contested against his will and he must be crushed.
But Saraki after yet another case – a forgery suit instituted by the
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar
Malami, against him and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu at an Abuja High Court,
might have put aside any further fear. His statement after the second
arraignment, sounded more like it to his loyal supporters off and on the
social media: “Let it be clear, as a citizen and as a foremost legislator,
I will continue to rise above all the persecution and distraction that
have been visited on me. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior, `the
ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy.”
For once, Saraki sounded in a way the radicals amongst his supporters had
wanted. He capped it by daring the Hawks: “If yielding (unyielding) to the
nefarious agenda of a few individuals who are bent on undermining our
democracy and destabilising the Federal Government to satisfy their
selfish interests is alternative to losing my personal freedom, let the
doors of jails be thrown open. I shall be a happy guest.” His popularity
soared afterwards.
The second case instituted by the executive over what is purely an
internal affairs of the Senate is a legal affront against the principle of
Separation of Power. Especially when there is a pending one on same matter
in another court of law. Justice Gabriel Kolawole handling the first case,
clearly expressed his misgiving on this: “In all of these facts and
issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants
have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in
my thoughts is why this “desperate haste” to prefer the criminal
indictments in exhibit “B” the investigation of which is at the heart of
this suit and of the parallel suit in exhibit “E”, and which indictments,
by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, had
by consent of both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and the 1st defendant’s
Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing.”
When the principle of separation of power developed by Baron de
Montesquieu is violated by one arm or when another organ of government
constitutes a threat to the other, it is likely to give rise to an
unhealthy political rivalry. This sometimes leads to the quest to balance
power by the offended arm in a bid to guide and defend its independence
especially if there is the will to do so. The rumours over an attempt to
commence an impeachment process against President Muhammadu Buhari which
was widely reported by the media is an indication of an emerging group in
the Senate that is favourably disposed to negotiating balance of power in
an executive-legislature cold war. The constitution confers on the
National Assembly the power to remove the President and such instrument is
available for political negotiations – it is a common legislative
bargaining strength globally. The House of Representatives attempted it
during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it
worked.
In international politics, states oftentimes try to ensure their survival
and relevance by maintaining or increasing their power in a self-help
world. In international relations, balance of power suggests that
“national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so
that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others. If one State
becomes much stronger than others, the theory predicts that it will take
advantage of its strength and attack weaker neighbours, thereby providing
an incentive for those threatened to unite in a defensive coalition,” –
Wikipedia. This concept (theory) is also silently embedded in the
principle of separation of powers as adapted by the constitution of
democratic nations. The National Assembly understands this perspective
clearly too in preserving its independence, hence the rumours of
impeachment.
As a trained medical doctor, Saraki understands the implications of a
cancer that is already growing and spreading and the likely treatments.
Unfortunately, legislative-executive imbroglio has also degenerated into a
political cancer of sort. It is spreading. The recent Dino Melaye vs Remi
Tinubu face-off is part of the symptoms. And we are likely to see more in
the weeks ahead if caution is not applied. Semblance of this, is a Senator
Robert Boroffice who was not in the National Assembly complex during the
confrontation, but he took to the media to lampoon Senator Dino Melaye,
just in a desperate bid to enlist the support of the husband of Senator
Remi Tinubu for APC Governorship ticket in Ondo State. There will be other
derived intrusions in the trials of Saraki in the days ahead. Same
Boroffice is also amplifying the Abuja court trial.
Borrowing Saraki’s phrase, this “government within government” group has
since crossed the red-line, closing their minds to any form of
negotiation. Saraki should apprise himself to this singular fact – Hawks
are hardliners with extreme positions, they take no prisoners and are
perpetually pro-wars. He has options, including fighting back, but he is
personally over-conscious of probable executive tyranny and the fear of
not receiving enough positive media support. Also, the goodwill of the
National Assembly is still considerably low – worry over getting enough
public sympathy. But fighting for honour and purpose is the signature of
courageous men – history reckons with them. The onus is on Saraki to
choose his battle.
There is a latest silent intervention by some past leaders, but yet they
are closing in on him with legal distractions. The third leg of his trial
is likely in the offing, if and after the Senate confirms Ibrahim Magu as
the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He
was a Governor and he is on their radar; they may explore that – this is
in addition to his trials at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Abuja
High Court. The plan is to use every means to deprive him of Senate
sittings, including his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, joined in the second suit.
It is not unlikely that Ekweremadu will be included in the third-leg
option albeit separately to double his trial and ensure none of them is
able to attend sittings. At least the EFCC has proved time and again that
cases could be manufactured against perceived enemies of government to
achieve a mission. The case of fiery human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu
Adegboruwa who was arrested just to prevent a mass action in Lagos over
subsidy removal comes handy.
Sensing that Saraki, aided by one of the best assemblages of lawyers in
recent history, had wriggled himself out of a quick plan to get a judgment
at the CCT, the Hawks from all indications decided to adopt the
‘distraction approach.’ Probably the lacuna these trials will create, may
help the anti-Saraki group to negotiate their replacements by reaching
some deals. It is going to be a tall dream. Aside the fact that the Senate
is not ready to compromise its independence as epitomised by
Saraki/Ekweremadu leadership, they are also ahead in this game with
options. A PDP person will take over the Presidency of the red chamber and
still secure the seat for Saraki. Mind you, some cases will get to the
Supreme Court and none is strong enough to convict Saraki. The Hawks had
perfected plans to manipulate court of first instance just to remove
Saraki, while appeals would be immaterial. That was why the same CCT that
exonerated former Gov. Bola Tinubu reversed himself in a desperate bid to
execute these plans.
In a fair sense, embarking on an impeachment process may not be a bad
option to balance power. The Hawks are not likely to compromise their
stand and since Saraki/Ekweremadu are not ready to relinquish their seats,
then they may have to act. Moving against the executive will definitely
stoke tension in the land but it will at least give the National Assembly
a bargaining power at a time the popularity of the President has dimmed.
For instance, the legislature could be blackmailed as working against good
governance if it adopts the approach of not treating executive requests or
without dispatch, but certainly not an impeachment move. There is no
better time for the legislature to save itself from the tyrannical
disposition of the executive than now.
Ariyo-Dare Atoye is the Convener, PDP Reform Group and can be reached via
aristotle001us@yahoo.com