The Buhari government was intimidated, blackmailing eight national assemblies – Saraki

The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, claimed that on Saturday the eighth National Assembly “was intimidated and squeezed” by the government of the former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated this at the Gala Reunion 2025 from the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCoba) in Houston, Texas.

Saraki served as president of the senate from 2015 to 2019.

The leadership of the former Governor of the State of Kwara in the upper legislative room but was not popular among Nigeria because of the belief that he was driving to a position through the back door in 2015.

He then returned to the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) before the 2019 election but failed in his efforts to return to the Senate.

Saraki was also demanded by the Buhari government for the declaration of fake assets and other criminal accusations.

But he was dismissed and released by the court due to lack of substantial evidence by prosecution.

A copy of the former president’s speech at the US forum was distributed to the media on Monday by his aide, Yusuf Olaniyonu.

He accused that efforts to pass laws that had an impact on frustration by the last government.

Saraki also blamed Nigeria’s leadership problems for the lack of clear plans or vision by the elected officials.

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He said: “Legislative is an institution created to make laws, oversee the executive, and represent the people.

“A legislative leader must have character. He must dare to talk to the truth to power. For me, the confidence to act in this way comes from these three sources.

“Why am I president of the senate and cannot lead the senate to ask questions about what loans are requested by the executive branch intended to be spent?

“We were unsuccessful because the bill was trapped in politics that led to the 2019 elections and thus, did not get the necessary attention from the House of Representatives.

“The legislature under my leadership was silenced, harassed, attacked, intimidated, and squeezed, and executive deliberately frustrated the ratification of laws, initiatives, and good recommendations that would be very beneficial for our society.

“We are like orphans.

“Elite people and usually remain silent, indifferent, and remain alone.

“Now, many years after we left the office, the leadership of the next national assembly preferred to be a rubber stamp and play stupid because they did not want to go through the terrible experience experienced by Saraki.

“I can agree with everything that the presidency wants under Buhari and cut the agreement with them along the way. I will be a good ally.

“So, when I read posts on social media or stories in traditional media that criticized the current national assembly and praised our term of office, I just shrugged and felt uncaring.

“This is a great failure of followers, and this is an enabler for sustainable leadership failure.”

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