10 Lies & Facts about Bukola Saraki
Everything you need to know about the Senate President and his Trials
DID DR. BUKOLA SARAKI ACTUALLY DECLARE A N17 TRILLION WORTH OF PERSONAL ASSET?
No. He did not. This is an unimaginable lie being told deliberately to deceive the masses. Dr. Bukola Saraki’s total declared assets then (both tangible and intangible) is N15,345,765,020 (Fifteen Billion, Three hundred and Forty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Six Five Thousand, Twenty Naira). This is a verifiable fact that is already in the public place. Come to think of it, if Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man is worth less than 5 Trillion naira (18.3 Billion USD) as at 2015, how can a self-made like Dr. Bukola Saraki – who by the way is not even rated among Africa’s 500 – be worth more than 300% over and above Africa’s globally recognized richest man?
GIVEN THE STAGGERING FIGURES CHURNED OUT BY EFCC WITNESS, WHERE DID SARAKI GET THE HUGE MONEY TO FINANCE HIS PRIVATE INVESTMENTS?
AS already admitted by the EFCC witness himself in the course of the ongoing CCT trial, Saraki sought and obtained loans worth billions of Naira from commercial banks to finance his private investments. Despite the staggering figures, the money involved doesn’t belong to Kwara State Government and the prosecution team has not proved that it belongs to Kwara State Government.
IS THE CCT TRIAL A TRUE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION?
No. from all indications, it is not. The reasons are not far-fetched. Why was an asset declared as far back as 2003 now suddenly become as issue for litigation thirteen years after? Why has the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) issued several Certificates of Compliance to Dr. Bukola Saraki on subsequent declarations in 2007, 2011 and 2015 respectively when it knew of alleged infractions in the 2003 declarations? After a long period of lull and slumber, why was CCB suddenly resurrected just shortly after Dr. Bukola Saraki defiled entrenched cabal within APC to becoming the Senate President? Why is it that only Dr. Bukola Saraki was singled out among the 2003 Class of Governors who equally declared their assets and got certified? These are genuine questions which point to one thing – the CCT Trial is tainted by political vendetta, mischief and malicious intent. And all these put a question mark on the integrity of the process. IS THE CCT TRIAL A TRUE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION?
DID DR. BUKOLA SARAKI ACTUALLY CORRUPTLY ENRICH HIMSELF FROM KWARA’S PUBLIC WEALTH?
No. He did not from all honest indications. For those who knew him back in the days, Dr. Bukola Saraki was already a self-made man before venturing into politics. He was at several times the CEO of popular private companies like Joy Petroleum (oil and gas), BAS Trading and Investment Limited (licensed import and export firm) Calistle Properties Limited (Estate and Estate Management), Skyview Properties Limited, etc. through which he made substantial legitimate fortune in the private sector in Lagos state.
BUT WHY DOES DR. BUKOLA SARAKI SEEM TO BE RUNNING AWAY FROM TRIAL AT THE CCT?
It is not true that Dr. Bukola Saraki is running away from trial at the CCT. Left to him, Dr., Bukola Saraki’s deepest desire is to use the instrument of the CCT trial to clear his name of all wanted and unfounded allegations of graft, so that ultimately, the cause of justice may be served. However, it is normal practice for lawyers to test the efficacy of the law and its procedures by raising preliminary objections either on jurisdictions or error of procedures. This is what has happened so far on the CCT trial. But now that the coast seems clear, Dr. Saraki has declared that he was happy on the commencement of his full trial, so that he may once and for all clear his cherished name before the CCT and the court of public opinion.
IS DR. BUKOLA SARAKI RESPONSIBLE FOR KWSG’S INABILITY TO PAY SALARIES TO CIVIL SERVANTS?
No. He is not. Dr. Bukola Saraki left office as the Executive Governor of Kwara state more than five years ago and handed over to the mantle of leadership of the state to Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed who exercise full and unhindered control over the government. Global economic downturn and not human factors are largely responsible for the salary crisis currently facing the country.
“…Sen. Bukola Saraki receives a total N1,262,626…only in pensions monthly and nothing more.”
IS IT TRUE THAT AS THE POLITICAL LEADER OF KWARA STATE, DR. BUKOLA SARAKI REGULARLY DRAWS FROM THE MONTHLY FEDERAL ALLOCATIONS TO THE STATE?
Dr. Bukola Saraki DOES NOT draw any KOBO from either the Monthly Federal Allocations to Kwara state or any other allocations belonging to the Kwara State Government. The only fund that accrues to him legitimately is his pension pursuant to the Kwara State Pensions Law (2010)
BUT IS IT TRUE THAT DR. BUKOLA SARAKI RECEIVES N100 MILLION IN MONTHLY PENSIONS FROM THE KWARA STATE GOVERNMENT?
There is no true in this rumor. Dr. Bukola Saraki, like all other formal Governors and Deputy Governors of Kwara State, receives stipends in pensions and benefits from the Kwara State Government every month. As a formal Governor, Sen. Bukola Saraki receives a total sum of N1,262,626 (One Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Six Naira) only in pensions monthly and nothing more. However, as a demonstration of his passion for excellence, he has instituted his own monthly pensions into a dedicated fund called the ABS Scholarship Funds which is set up to cater for the academic needs of outstanding Kwara indigent students.
“…the Senate are now far more transparent and freely open to public scrutiny.”
HAS DR. BUKOLA SARAKI’S SENATE PRESIDENCY BENEFITED NIGERIA IN ANYWAY?
There is no denying the fact that the leadership of Sen. Bukola Saraki in the National Assembly in the last 10 months has borne positive fruits for Nigeria and Nigerians alike. First, there has been an unprecedented political stability between the executive and legislative arms of the government which has allowed for seamless government at the federal level. Two, the oversight of the Senate are now being conducted with more decorum, maturity and less controversy bothering on bribery and corruption. Most importantly, the affairs of the Senate are now far more transparent and freely open to public scrutiny.
HAS SARAKI’S SENATE PRESIDENCY BENEFITED KWARA IN ANYWAY?
By far, this is Kwara’s best moment in both chambers of the National assembly. Five of Kwara’s brilliant legislators today chair juicy and strategic committees like Banking and Finance (Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim), National Security and Intelligence (Sen. Sha’aba Lafiagi), Primary and Basic Education and Services (Hon. Zakari Mohammed), Justice (Hon. Razaq Atunwa) and Water Resources (Hon. Haman Pategi-Baago). Kwara has never had it so good, thanks to Senator Bukola Saraki. Through Sen. Saraki’s effort and influence, the Ilorin-Jebba road is now getting renewed federal attention and is already penciled for reconstruction in the 2016 Federal Budget. But most importantly, Dr. Bukola Saraki has improved human capital development within his constituencies through scholarship, direct and indirect employment for several hundred of youths and concrete empowerment of women across the state.
“…if Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man is worth less than 5 Trillion naira (18.3 Billion USD) as at 2015, how can a self-made like Dr. Bukola Saraki-who by the way is not even rated among Africa’s 500 – be worth more than 300% over and above Africa’s globally recognized richest man?”