We are all guilty…since 1999, Saraki replies Obasanjo
‘No one person is to blame’
SENATE President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki declared yesterday that all those who had served in government since 1999, had , one way or another , contributed to the socio- economic woes currently bedeviling the country.
Saraki who was responding to journalists’ questions at the National Assembly, regarding allegations of corruption levelled against the National Assembly by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said it was wrong for anybody to hold an individual or group of people solely responsible for the mess of the past.
According to him, rather than trading blame on the woes afflicting the country now, what is needed from all stakeholders is a collective participation in the drive to find solutions to the problems.
His words :”We have all been here since 1999 up to the recent past when things were not done right. We are all part of it. I was there ,you were there, other political office holders in different capacities were there as well.
“My own view from the Eighth National Assembly is that the time for collective participation for the good of all Nigerians is here with us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.
We are all on the same page that things should be done differently.
“I think what we need now from all stakeholders is more of cooperation, encouragement and participation as opposed to trying to hold one person responsible for the mistakes of the past that we are all part of. It is clearly not the thing needed now.
“I appeal to you, to all Nigerians that we should work together just as I assure you all that we will do well here in the National Assembly to practically complement the change agenda.”
The Senate President disclosed that the National Assembly would soon come up with an amendment bill on the procurement process to ensure strict and transparent implementation of the N6.08trillion 2016 budget.
According to Saraki, the implementation of the 2016 budget proposal as presented by the executive , would be decided at the stage it is now in the National Assembly
“Before we put our signatures to it , we need to be sure that it is implementable”, he said.
He, however, stated that rather than the falling oil price benchmark, the two critical issues to be monitored and managed for the successful implementation of the budget were issues of expected revenues from non-oil and independent sources aside from that of funding the huge deficit .
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
18 Comments
We have all been guilty since Independence; the Government, the People; I mean Nigerians. No generation is exculpated.
Maazi – body nor fit divorce head, na as the head waka body go follow. Before before, all man for Naija dey peaceful, hardworking and obedient, until all dis calamity rulers in agbada and uniform enter us…
Our guilt be say we siddon and all these things de happen and we de look like zombies. Like bees wey dey don spray with nozzled wata. Our guilt be say we no know our inherent rights in all this wahala, @Carlos el Pimero.
I agree entirely. We have all sinned and have come short of what is expected us all. Politicians, civil servants, military officers,police officers, business men/women, traders, importers, traffic wardens,drivers, conductors and even agboros. In the private sectors, it’s even worse. Is it in our tertiary institutions or our traditional institutions? WE HAVE ALL SINNED.LORD FORGIVE AND INSPIRE US TO DO YOUR WILL. AMEN
Pass the word dear. We have a second chance to exact a lasting impression.
Now that all plutocrats accepts their culpability, we await the sentence…return of commonwealth back to the treasury of the federal republic (including proceeds from whatever asset or investment it was put to) and for justice to be served. It is not just enough for a thief to fess up…stolen wares have to be returned to the rightful owners and justice served.
Tell this disoriented youthful generation that late sarduana sokoto had no bank account, late dr m.i okpara, akanu ibiam, aguiyi ironsi and a host of others during nigerian golden era of the first republic monumentally transformed the lives of millions and many had no real houses of their own!
Thanks Mr Saraki for admitting for the first time that you’re part of the problem that has brought this nation to ruination. I think the honourable thing to do now is resign and return what you’ve stolen from us. You’re not fit to preside over our senate.
Don’t include the Tally clerk Ironsi among Nigerian leaders. This was a stupid Ibo leader who schemed to have the Ibos massacre Nigerians.
The Idiot was rightly killed at the appropriate time.
I was expecting Saraki to be defensive but his response shows maturity and good upbringing. My take, since he agreed that they were all guilty what is the way forward? The way forward is in Obasanjo’s letter, they, NA should align their earnings and entitlements to the current economic reality in Nigeria. OBJ did a good job by suggesting we cannot continue like this, NA should adjust accordingly.
Guilty as charged….that is the sentence on all at the helm of affairs of this country
Shameless thieves!!!!!
This is matured write up. No point putting blame on one person. With sincerity we will have trust in our leaders as they continue to chart a good cause for us to be better Nigerians.
Agreed 101%
Truly !!! Nigeria have never had a leader since Independence, what we always have are Pen robbers, Armed robbers, murderers and thieves in higher places of authority. Until Nigeria stop recycling people in power nothing good will ever come out of this Country called Nigeria.
So for Sarakin own book, na 1999 our problem begin?? We don enter am!
Some of us have always insisted that the woes of Nigeria should not be heaped on the door step of the immediate past administration and that previous administrations, notably the military regimes were largely responsible. Out of the 16 years of PDP administration, Obasanjo had 8 years and if he had laid a better foundation, the two other administrations of Late President Umaru Yar Adua and former President Goodluck Ebere Jonathan would have, at least built on it. A fair assessment of the three presidents would show who performed better. The truth is gradually emerging and very soon every body would be able to identify the reality from falsehood and propaganda.
Don’t include the Tally clerk Ironsi among Nigerian leaders. This was a stupid Ibo leader who schemed to have the Ibos massacre Nigerians.
The Idiot was rightly killed at the appropriate time.
We will review and take appropriate action.