APC rejects Saraki, Dogara appointments

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President andYakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives saying that they were not the party’s chosen candidates for the positions.

The APC also said that the ‘indiscipline and treachery’ that led to Saraki and Dogara’s emergence as leaders of the Assembly is unacceptable.

This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, by APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed.

It reads:

“Senator Bukola and Hon. Dogara are not the candidates of the APC and a majority of its National Assembly members-elect for the positions of Senate President and House Speaker.”

“The party duly met and conducted a straw poll and clear candidates emerged for the posts of Senate President, Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, supported by a majority of all Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives.”

“All National Assembly members-elect who emerged on the platform of the party are bound by that decision. The party is supreme and its interest is superior to that of its individual members.”

“Consequently, the APC leadership is meeting in a bid to re-establish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration.”

”There can be no higher level of treachery, disloyalty and insincerity within any party.”

Saraki and Dogara were elected on Tuesday despite not being chosen to represent the APC.

President says he’s ready to work with Saraki, Dogara

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a response to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker respectively.

The President stated on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, that although he would have preferred for the leaders’ emergence to have followed the rules of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a constitutional process had occurred.

This was disclosed via a statement released by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

It reads in part:

“President Buhari had said in an earlier statement that he did not have any preferred candidate for the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected.”

“That sentiment still stands. Though he would have preferred the new leaders to have emerged through the process established by the party.”

“Nonetheless the President took the view that a constitutional process has somewhat occurred. To this end, President Buhari said he is ready to work with those elected.”

Saraki and Dogara were elected on Tuesday at the inauguration of the 8 National Assembly.