Senate President says his trial is the work of “powerful individuals”

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has said that “some powerful individuals” outside the Senate are responsible for his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Saraki also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to interfere in the controversial National Assembly elections of June 9, 2015.

The Senate President made the comments on Tuesday, September 29, while addressing his colleagues.

“Distinguished Senators, I believe you have all followed with keen interest, my trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” Saraki said.

“I shall avoid discussing the details of that case here for obvious reasons. But let me say it again, that I am ready and will submit myself to the entire judicial process as provided by law.

Meanwhile, I wish to reiterate my remarks before the Tribunal, that I have no iota of doubt that I am on trial today because I am the president of the Nigerian Senate, against the wishes of some powerful individuals outside this Chambers.

But what is clear to me also, is that the laws of Nigeria, and the rules of the National Assembly give consideration only to the wishes and desires of those of you who are here today as members of the Senate, to elect as you wish, one of your peers as President of the Senate.

This, in your wisdom, is what you have done by electing me to be the first among all of you who are my equals. The laws of Nigeria do not give any consideration to any other forces outside the Senate in the election of its President.

This is why we must once again, commend President Muhammadu Buhari, for refusing to interfere in the election of the National Assembly leadership even in the face of enormous pressures on him to do so. He has proven quite concretely that he is indeed a born-again democrat.”

Saraki is being tried at the tribunal after being accused of asset declaration fraud by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The Senate resumed on Tuesday after a six-week recess and will resume sitting on Wednesday, September 30.