Ahmed Gulak is a PDP chieftain and ex-Political Matters Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan. He explained why embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki should resign from his position. Hear him: “Like I told you, if you juxtapose my argument with what is happening at the National Assembly, most of the people (APC senators) have ‘hot’ PDP blood flowing in their veins; wherever they are, they are PDP (members). We have come a long way (with these people) since 1998; because of 2015 elections and they went to APC does not make them APC (members). We are (all) still PDP; we talk – we discuss; although, we may have our little differences. The issue is: APC (leaders) never liked Saraki to become the Senate President, notwithstanding the fact that he came to the Senate on the platform of the APC and contributed a lot to the APC winning (the 2015 general elections). But he was not part of them and he ought to have known that.

Saraki should advise himself. But if I were him, I wouldn’t have allowed the crisis to reach the current level. I’d have stepped aside and face the trial (at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged false assets declaration). I know Nigerians are watching if the trial is political persecution or legal persecution. As a Senate President, I should put aside my individual ego. I don’t want to bring the reputation of the institution into disrepute; let me remove myself from the institution of the Senate, which is sacrosanct. The fact that someone else becomes the senate president isn’t a do-or-die affair. Saraki should have removed himself from the position of Senate President by resigning right from day one. What is going on is shameful; the government of APC has engaged in separation of government rather than separation of power. It is sad to see the head of the legislative arm of government facing a criminal charge.  In other climes, anybody who is facing such issues will just resign from that position of leadership.”

– Culled from PUNCH