The National Chairman of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday celebrated the
failure of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his re-election bid, The
Guardian Nigeria has reported.
According to him, Saraki's
loss in the election was a death knell and a precursor to the complete
retirement of the Kwara born politician by his people.
Oshiomhole’s remarks came
yesterday after the re-elected President Muhammadu Buhati, had in a statement,
appealed to his supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition because of
the APC’s victory at the presidential election.
Saraki lost to the Kwara Central
Senatorial District candidate of the APC, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, in what
election observers described as a major upset.
The president of the Senate
was one of the major casualties of the 2019 general elections.
Speaking to State House
Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, where he had gone to congratulate
President Buhari after being issued with the certificate of return, Oshiomhole
said even though the president had asked them to be magnanimous in victory,
Saraki’s loss could not be ignored.
“Lets also say to be honest
that as much as we want to be magnanimous in victory, there are a couple of
things that have happened, that show that the Nigerian people know how to
reward those who are extremely arrogant. People who came to the senate with
less than 100,000 votes, and began to hold the country to ransome, their own
people have recalled them home.
“While we were saying that
we will impeach them, their people said they would rather bury them.
Politically, now, they are out. It shows the power of democracy, it’s a
leveler, an equalizer, you cannot be bigger than the people.
“Our people say that a
politician is like an okro tree, he should never grow taller than the person
who planted it. And those who plant the political okro tree are the Nigerian
people. I think, a couple of lessons have been learnt, this game is for those
who are humble, those who believe in the people.
“There are no dynasties,
the people are the sovereign, when they borrow you the power, remember, it is
only lend to you, and it will expire, and it will require renewal. If you don’t
behave, thy will remove you.”
The APC National chairman
noted that the world, observers, local and foreign all agreed that there was
free and fair election. He, however, said that did not mean the election was
perfect.
Oshiomhole commended
President Buhari’s acceptance speech, saying nothing less was expected of a
statesman.
“Mr. President’s statement
is what you expect from a statesman, that even in victory, he sowed humility
and extended hand of fellowship to those who share commitment to the future of
Nigeria and contested against him. But in every race, there would always be a
winner.
“For those analysts who
have been active since 1999 in his Fourth Republic, this is the most keenly
contested election. My joy is that, in the electioneering season, given all
issues about security in Nigeria, there was no incident of terrorists attack
except one or so in maybe Yobe or somewhere. To God be the glory.
“The second is that people
who had predicted that Nigerians would fight have been put to shame. I know
that Nigerians believe in their country, we appreciate our friends but we also
know that those friends will never accept us as citizens of their
country,”Oshiomhole said.
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