Tinubu, others hail dismissal of forgery case against Saraki, Ekweremadu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Roland Owie have been speaking on the recent dismissal of the forgery case instituted against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, expressing, in separate statements, relief. In a statement by the Tinubu Media Office, Asiwaju noted that “With these forgery charges found not to apply, it is good that they be dismissed so that the national assembly may focus on this important work ahead. While those involved may understandably feel a sense of relief or vindication, this is no time for them to celebrate or to believe all is well with the nation simply because all has turned out well for them on this matter.   All is not well. Throughout the nation, the people stagger and groan under the weight of economic hardship. This government and our party must hear and respond to their plea. We must lead the way.” The statement maintained that the “withdrawal of the forgery case against the Senate President and other members of the National Assembly is a welcome development at this crucial time.  A mind and heart unburdened by the specter of possible legal liability is also free to devote itself to the pressing matters of state. Consequently, this action presents a unique window of opportunity for the national assembly to reset its bearings and to focus on the real issues at hand”. By the same token, Owie, who was a Chief Whip in the Senate, lampooned the federal government for even contemplating the litigation, insisting that “I said it long ago that the charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu were in bad faith and unecessary interference into the affairs of National Assembly and an attempt to destroy the Independence of the legislature    and ultimately destroy democracy. I am happy the the Executive now had a rethink.” Also reacting, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo South, who noted that it was a good step in the right direction, said that in the first place, there was nothing like forgery of the Standing Order. Also speaking on the development, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, PDP, FCT said, “I want to commend both sides, the federal government and the Senate; there have been a lot of distractions   and with this development, we all can now work together to tackle economic and social challenges confronting us.” In his reaction, Senator Danjuma La’ah, PDP, Kaduna South said, “We are happy about the development, I think the case was not necessary in the first place, it has been a major distraction for us as a Senate. With this development, we will now settle down to do our work of legislation, most especially with a focus on how to revive the nation’s economy.”