Not many of the columns posted in this space have drawn as many reactions as the most recent one (“Beyond the list,” October 6, 2015).
The part that seems to have resonated the most was the concluding paragraph, here reproduced for ease of reference:
“I am hoping that when the (confirmation) hearings get under way, at least one nominee will look Saraki in the face and say, ‘Senator, with all due respect to your office, you lack the moral integrity to sit in judgment as to whether I should serve on the President Buhari’s cabinet or not. I cannot and will not submit to your authority in this matter. I thank the President for the nomination, but must for the reason I have stated respectfully withdraw my name from consideration.’”
The reactions speak for themselves. I am reporting virtually all the salient ones, edited for space and coherence. My aim is not to advance a cause, but to share with the attentive public some sense of the balance of opinion in this corner on an issue that is likely to define, for better or worse, the Buhari administration and its commitment to enthroning probity in public life.
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Disciplined leadership is important to infuse and inculcate the right attitudes indispensable to meaningful progress. Dr Bukola Saraki should learn what morality is all about by evaluating himself and taking a look at his conducts so far. If a man goes into public office, he must be prepared for the consequences. He must make himself proof against calumny. In this, honesty is crucial.Adegoke O. O. Bako, Ibadan.
Any nominee who acted the last paragraph will not only be stoned, but may fetch jungle justice from friends, family and even his wìfe or the husband as the case may be. –Anon.
The case on Saraki is political and should be handled with care. Hence we may be sitting on a keg of a gun powder as a nation – Dr Albert Olajide Akinyemi, Ikole-Ekiti.
Whether Saraki is corrupt or not is not the issue. The fact remains that constitutionally, he will preside over the screening of ministerial nominees and he has the final say on who is cleared or not. – Anon.
When will Nigerians develop mentally to the state referred to in the last paragraph of “Beyond the list”? The Bukola Saraki I know could have stepped aside for moral reasons, pending the determination of the issue at stake – Joe Ehalaiye, Kogi State
If any ministerial nominee thinks he is bold enough, let him confront the Senate president by telling him he doesn’t have the integrity to screen him and see if such a nominee will not be disqualified — Anon
Your desire at your age to stand the truth on its head just to malign Saraki and satisfy your master is shameful. For your information, Saraki and other dignitaries were assaulted by workers protesting non-payments. It’s amazing how much space The Nation devotes to the Saraki bashing project. We know it will soon be Buhari when he fails your master. Anon
Mr. Kabba (Okun) man. What actually is your problem with the Senate President, an Ilorin man? Old politics in the old Kwara State? Uhunn…time shall tell. I supposed by now, you ought to be an elder statesman. Anon.
Leave Saraki alone. Where were you when Asiwaju went to CCT in 2011? You were quiet. You are very partial. I will never read your comment again. Tokunbo.
I’ve expected you to, at least investigate other political office holders, especially governors, past and present including your paymaster and tell the public your findings in respect of fraud or corrupt practices. If your sword of attack is directed at Bukola Saraki alone, any reasonable reader will assess you as a mere archetype of personified journalist who lacks the ethics –Anon
Re: Beyond the list: “. . .respectfully withdraw from consideration.” What a fantastic conclusion on your article. I hope a nominee with a standing integrity could declare this. Alhaji (Dr) Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki found himself entangled in a political cobweb and should only do the needful, to retain the little respect that he still has. Biyi Adesanya, Ibadan.
I’m still waiting for that day when The Nation will stop attacking Tinubu’s presumed enemies in politics. Well, he who pays the piper always dictates the tune. halabi42@yahoo.com
I‘m not a politician, but an old Shell retiree, retired 23 years ago. Reading through your At Home Abroad comments in today’s The Nation, I broadly salute you and say well done. If Saraki is truly educated and honourable, he should at this point put in his resignation. Engr JK, Gasper.
A very beautiful piece. Let’s hope one of the nominees would be bold enough to speak up. Anon
I cannot think of a more appropriate and damning response to your biased intervention on the Saraki matter than what Professor Ayo Olukotun aptly captures as “The Corruption of Anti-corruption”, on the back page of The Punch of September 25, 2015. Kuteyi R.R, Ondo.
Will it not be abnormal for an accused facing 13 charges with criminal undertone to screen ministerial nominees of the President of the biggest black nation in the world? Please let him know that he needs to be preparing for his defence on October 21, 22 and 23, 2015. ‘Wole Olatunbosun.
You have passed this level you exhibited in your today’s article. It’s very pedestrian and mediocre. We expect better intellectual inputs. Anon
Your article proves what a loyal employee you are. Imagine the way Saraki is searched and found is the same way the owner of The Nation is searched. By now, you would have been looking for another job. Ogbadu
Truth is bitter as always, but has to be told all the same. Well done sir for saying it the way it is. –Tony Iheanacho, Jos.
Since Senate president Saraki has a case to answer over illegal assets declaration, he is not entitled to preside over the screening of ministerial nominees. —chika nnorom
That was a masterpiece. The likes of Dino Melaye know that Senate confirmation in Nigeria is for sale. This is the Senate’s harvest period; they waited long for it to come. Dino should not fool us. As for Saraki, red oil trying to wash the soap! What do you get? Rubbish. Yes, let him forever get stuck “in the hole he dug himself into” Moses Imiegha
“Beyond the list” was the tonic I need after much thought about the nation. The FG should not allow any political solution to any judicial matter in this country any more. Let the so-called Senate president continue his lying. The truth is that he was stoned in Ilorin. Those senators supporting Saraki cannot go back to their constituencies and tell them. They are all liars. Your ink shall never dry. Abdulrahaman Yusuf.
Re:.”Beyond the list” credited to Olatunji Dare in The Nation of October 6 is a piece that calls for sober reflection. Why is it that the Yoruba are always after themselves? I advise they should borrow a leaf from other tribes. Steve
I always appreciate the flow in AT HOME ABROAD. I will like to comment on “Beyond the list.” The legislature can overturn the judgment of the court simply by enacting or amending a law. Please see S.E.C. v. Kasunmu (2009) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1150) 509. Anon.
The list of ministerial nominees unveiled turned out to be mixed bag of heavily corrupt, superbly corrupt and moderately corrupt Nigerians. Nothing to cheer. Rather than any of them looking Saraki in the face, they are most likely to lobby him not to expose them. Whether charged to court or not, we know them. Anon
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Nigerians voted decisively for change. Following the election, heady intimations of a new dawn swept the landscape. Many were cautious, skeptical even, because they have lived through too many false dawns.
This must not be another false dawn.
NATION
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