Saraki Reveals ‘Saddest Day’ As Nigeria’s Senate President

The President of the 8th Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, says the invasion of the National Assembly in 2018 was his “saddest days” as the nation’s number 3 citizen.

Naija News recalls that there was a siege on the National Assembly by armed and masked operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 7, 2018, a situation which led to the sacking of the then DSS Director-General, Lawal Daura.

On August 8, 2018, Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, released a joint statement, where they described the invasion of the National Assembly by security officials as a “coup against democracy.”

Reacting to the invasion again while giving his valedictory speech on Thursday, June 6, Saraki, a former governor of Kwara state, sais the invasion “will live in infamy”.

His words: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank each and every one of you for your contributions towards making this the historic Senate that it is,” Saraki noted.

“When I think of the many trials and tribulations we have faced as an institution, and my own personal travails, particularly at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I am humbled, because none of our achievements would have been possible without the support and cooperation of the entire members of this chamber.

“The invasion of the National Assembly by armed security operatives in August 2018 will live in infamy.

“This way down the line, however, I realise that the day of that invasion was the saddest – but in many ways, it was also a good day for asserting the independence of the legislature and the triumph of democracy.”

Saraki added: “It also turned out to be a showcase of the special relationship between this chamber and the House, as Honourable Members stood in unison with their Senate colleagues in defiance of the invaders.

“I thank the House of Representatives for the remarkable unity of the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly, for it was only in unity that we could withstand the storm,” the outgoing Senate President said.