At last, ministerial nominees unite Buhari and Saraki

For the first time since his election as Senate President against the wishes of some few party members, Dr. Bukola Saraki alongside other leaders of National Assembly last Wednesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Unlike the tradition in the Presidency since the return of democracy in 1999, a Senate president is in order of protocol in the Aso Villa. But it was revealed that was not the case with Saraki since his emergence on June 9.

The meeting between the National Assembly leadership, and the Presidency which centred mainly on the screening of ministerial nominees, and cordial working relationship according to a privileged source was fruitful.

They exchange of banters at the end of their meetings which was not far from a sign of a new dawn in their relationship.

There is no doubt that the meeting became very imperative following protests and agitations from different quarters against some of the ministerial nominees.

It seems that the Presidency which was initially indisposed working with the Senate under Saraki’s leadership was compelled by circumstances and constitutionalism to do otherwise.

Or was it that the Senate’s strong and avowed decision to be thorough in the ministerial screening made the Presidency to be jittery? Which jitters? Such avowal has been made in the past by the senators, only for something different to happen on the floor of the hallowed Chamber during screening.

Beside, Saraki is needed much by the Presidency for a hitch-free screening of the ministerial nominees than any other person. The precedent is there. When the Lagos APC senators opposed the confirmation of Senator Musliu Obanikoro as ministerial nominee, it took Senator David Mark’s political dexterity to scale through.

That is expected in a democratic setting where the three arms of government have always had a meeting and parting point.

Some are of the opinion that the recent development, if well managed by the two parties may go a long way in healing the wounds of the past in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Senate.

This is even as many others argue that the cat and mouse relationship between the Presidency and the Senate leadership, and the Senate leadership and the APC leadership on the other hand have remain a cog in the wheel of Buhari’s government.

But there is no doubt that following the political upheavals that erupted in the Senate and APC over Saraki’s emergence, the scion of the Oloye has been able carry on sagaciously, constitutionally and humbly. Not even the travails with Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has derailed or distracted his vision for the 8th Senate. This is may be because apart from the overwhelming support from his colleagues, the judiciary is being look unto to do the just without minding whose is gored.

Saraki’s continued survival on the seat is not unconnected with his deep understanding of the political dynamics of the country of which his late father was a master.

One of the ministerial nominees disclosed yesterday that Buhari has nothing against Saraki, just like Saraki has nothing against Buhari.

The nominee said: “The whole thing is just the handiwork of some few individuals in the party who believe that they can lord it over every other members. Presidency recognizes the constitutional role of the Senate especially the power and importance of its leadership. Both of them needs each other for the unity and peace in the party and the country.’

Henceforth, Nigerians will be on the watch out on how the new found relationship between the Presidency and National Assembly will help move the country forward.