By Joseph Edegbo:
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is today unarguably, one of the most influential politicians in the country.
Like his father, the Late Olusola Saraki, who had the sobriquet title, Oloye, the Senate Majority Leader in the Second Republic and who straddled the politics of Kwara State for about 30 years, Bukola the son, has apparently learnt the political ropes well from his father.
And perhaps, if the father were to be alive today, he would have amply admired his son for being an adept student of the power game.
He did not only master the art, but became master of it.
The way he has been able to hold everything together, in the last 4 years, illustrates his political sagacity.
And underneath his harmless looks an innocent appearance, lies an enormous political strength.
As a result of this calm and unperturbed demeanour, many unsuspecting political adversaries had, to their own peril, seen him as one to be ignored. However, many who had ignored him had done so, at huge political cost.
Notwithstanding distractions that the leadership of both chambers of the 8th National Assembly faced, they were able to provide quality leadership that culminated in landmark legislations, which made the 8th National Assembly the most productive since 1999.
Saraki and Dogara at various times suffered serious distractions, subtle harassment and intimidation for their loyalty and commitment to make the National Assembly, a true parliament, representing the Nigerian people.
Their unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria provided decisive, purposeful and effective leadership that inspired most senators and members to equally put in their best through quality and patriotic contributions at plenary and committee levels that culminated into landmark legislations.
If not for the decisive and effective leadership provided by the President of the Senate and the Honourable Speaker, Nigeria’s fragile democracy would have been turned into a democratic dictatorship.
Nigerians are living witnesses and are proud of majority of the members of the 8th National Assembly for resisting sustained blackmail, intimidation and temptation by the executive to become its rubber stamp.
No wonder, the Arewa Online Publishers after an in-depth and painstaking research, came out with Bukola Saraki, Speaker House Of Reps. Yakubu Dogara, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen Magnus Abe and Sen. Kabir Garba Marafa for these unequalled awards.
