…Saraki condoles with family of late Senator Ali Wakili
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in grey dress, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara,in grey dress with no cap, Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, Sen. Isa Hamma Misau and others during a condolence visit to the family of late Senator Ali Wakili in Abuja yesterday.
Senate President Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has reacted to reports in a national daily insinuating that there was a disagreement between him and Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, over how both chambers of the National Assembly will react to the withholding of assent by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said, “there is no such disagreement between the two leaders, and indeed the two chambers of the National Assembly.
“The Senate President and the Speaker, as heads of the two chambers of the National Assembly and representing the views of their colleagues, will want everybody to know that they are on the same page on what is the appropriate reaction to the President’s withholding of assent on the Electoral Act amendment bill.
“There is no disagreement between the two chambers as well as their presiding officers. The leadership of the two chambers constantly hold discussions and are in agreement on what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why it must be done.
“The issue at stake is not personal. It is about deepening democracy. It is about improving our democracy and the National Assembly is on firm constitutional and legal grounds to amend the law as well as take decisions in the manner they have been responding.
“We see that story and the insinuations contained in it as mere distraction and unnecessary misrepresentation aimed at creating division in the federal legislature. The Senate President, Speaker and their colleagues urge members of the public to discountenance the report.
Meanwhile, Saraki on Saturday expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of the Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Ali Wakili.
A tearful Saraki, according to Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Senator as a vibrant lawmaker and public servant who was very passionate about his assignment and engagements in the Senate, especially his Chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.
“Mallam Ali Wakili is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly,” Saraki said. “His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday.”
“My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate and the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed,” he added.
Saraki has since visited the residence of the Senator in Abuja where he commiserated with his immediate and extended family members.
The President of the Senate prayed Allah to grant Mallam Wakili a place among the righteous in Aljannah Firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
