The 8th Nigerian Senate under Bukola Saraki is expected to wind down its constitutional duties today paving way for the inauguration of the 9th Senate on June 11.
Mr Saraki emerged Senate President during his days in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) against the wish of the party, and was deputised by Ike Ekweremadu from the opposing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The emergence of the top lawmaker to lead the legislative arm of government was largely seen as an attempt to thwart the aim of some political godfathers in the ruling party who wanted to install a stooge.
Several efforts to oust him from his position often met brick walls with the Senate President atimes outsmarting his opponents.
The Kwara lawmaker who later defected to the PDP enjoyed the support of his colleagues despite their political differences and this could be said to be responsible for his stay in office until the expiration of his tenure.
The PDP Director-General in this year’s presidential election will not be returning to the 9th Senate because he lost his re-election bid.
The Senate under Saraki has at different occasions clashed with the executive arm of government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Buhari has often blamed the National Assembly as responsible for his administration’s inability to deliver on some of its campaign promises, policies and programmes.
One Thursday morning, one of the aides of the Senate President, Olu Onemola, on Twitter described the tenure of his principal at the red chamber as an impact-filled, productive and responsive one in the country’s history.
This has led to reactions from Nigerians on the micro-blogging site with hashtag #8thSenateValedictory.
Below are some of the reactions brought to you by POLITICS TIMES.
https://twitter.com/ajozeganiyu/status/1136546526585659397?s=19
Well done to @bukolasaraki for leading the best ever @NGRSenate. Thank you for all the bills, constitutional amendments and interventions that predecessors shied away from. History will be kind to you. #8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/FCGxB4iuly
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) June 6, 2019
The 8th Senate under the leadership of Dr. @bukolasaraki remains the best and Nigerians will miss him.
We can judge from the number of bills passed by each @NGRSenate
8TH SENATE:318
7TH SENATE: 128
6TH SENATE:72
5TH SENATE:129#8thSenateValedictory— TUNDE Babamale. ???????? (@babastundey) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/ukejeihuoma/status/1136552883359485952?s=19
8th senate is the most productive so far, All thanks to @bukolasaraki for leading the most successful senate. He come, he saw, he conqure. #8thSenateValedictory
— Champooh (@Champooh3) June 6, 2019
4years of performance—4years of persecution—4years like forever.
Thank You!!! @bukolasaraki.#8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/ApGlJZsoXB— Olumuyiwa ODUNARE (@MahrufOdunare) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrOdanz/status/1136545024441815040?s=19
He defended democracy, rule of law and the principle of separation of powers. Nigerian political twitter will remember… Cheers to @bukolasaraki a leader I Stan #8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/KPzeokS0jq
— Osadebamwen.NFT ???? (@ekhator_emmanue) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/d_legal_eagle/status/1136553775261454336?s=19
.@SenGbengaAshafa and just a few others (May be Omoworare from Osun also) deserve the respect from Nigerians…..
OTHERS like Saraki, Shehu Sani, Eberibe, Ben10, etc…….4 years wasted.#8thSenateValedictory— Taiwo_Ajakaye (@dmightyangel) June 6, 2019
Congratulations to the #8thSenate for their contributions to the sustenance of democracy through the bills passed and #constitutional amendments.
We hope the #9thAssembly gives us more especially in the area of Constitutional amendment #8thSenateValedictory @ConstitutionLab
— ItisPossible (@BrownsonEtimbuk) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/thegreatola/status/1136577314601525248?s=19
You have been a good leader @bukolasaraki to d peoples of Nigeria and a voice to the voiceless people of this country ur path have been felt while some Nigerians misinterpreted u but u still remain focus on d good deed. Posterity will indeed be kind to u. #8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/3nDWd6mkKL
— Yusuf Daura (@yusufdaura_) June 6, 2019
@bukolasaraki ends his leadership of the Senate today and also his representation of Kwara people at the National space
After today, no one will be talking about Kwara state at the National level.
They already buried their relevance by not voting him. #8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/9jaW3OTij1
— Comradeˢᵀ – #HardTruth (@iAGB4REAL) June 6, 2019
Fraud in Humanitarian Crisis Management in the North East: On October 4, 2016, the Senate started launched investigation into alleged corruption in the management of the humanitarian crisis in the North East; and sent a fact-finding technical team.. #8thSenateValedictory
— TUNDE Babamale. ???????? (@babastundey) June 6, 2019
Fraud in the Import Duty Waivers Scheme: In May2016, a Senate, investigation uncovered abuse and fraud to the tune of N447billion in the import duty waivers scheme on rice. It then mandated Ad-Hoc Committee on Import Duty Waivers to investigate the matter. #8thSenateValedictory
— TUNDE Babamale. ???????? (@babastundey) June 6, 2019
Fraud in Treasury Single Account (TSA) Management: In November 2015, the @NGRSenate detected fraudulent activities in the implementation of TSA; and raised a resolution to bring such practices to a halt, saving the country N25 billion. #8thSenateValedictory
— TUNDE Babamale. ???????? (@babastundey) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/OBAeleniyan/status/1136577155608010752?s=19
https://twitter.com/OBAeleniyan/status/1136579017304358912?s=19
When enemies of democracy came for his head , he showed wisdom..
Thank you @bukolasaraki for redefining legislation in Nigeria.#8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/hsVymqBMPj
— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) June 6, 2019
Goodbye Bukky, we love you but your house loves you most, the evil you did is enough #8thSenateValedictory #Otoge
— Souljah (@jeffphilips1) June 6, 2019
Today the most controversial parliament in the history of Nigeria since the independent under the leadership of Sen Dr, Bukola Saraki will be rounding up. Thank U all for ur service whether good or bad as what U did in the house will now start hunting you. #8thSenateValedictory
— Principal_No_Stress (@A_blazee) June 6, 2019
History has a voice and it will forever speak greatly of you. Go and get rest Sir for coming back stronger in the future. You’re a role model and a political mentor. We will surely gonna miss you we love you Baba Saraki❤️!#8thSenateValedictory pic.twitter.com/v0OQdd5qUv
— Rep. Arafat Zanna Rogo???? (@arafatrogo) June 6, 2019
