In a stunning revelation, former Nigerian Senate President Bukola Saraki has come forward with allegations that the eighth National Assembly was subjected to harassment, blackmail, and silencing by the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Saraki, this mistreatment stemmed from the National Assembly’s refusal to acquiesce to the executive’s demands.
Saraki, who served as Senate President, claimed that his leadership was deliberately frustrated by the Buhari-led executive, hindering the passage of beneficial legislation that would have positively impacted the Nigerian people. He made these allegations at the 2025 Reunion Gala of the King’s College Old Boys Association in Houston, Texas. The former Kwara State governor described the National Assembly under his leadership as being “like orphans,” abandoned and ignored by both the elite and ordinary citizens in the face of the executive’s aggression.
A statement released by Saraki’s spokesman, Yusuf Olaniyonu, further elaborated on the situation, detailing how the legislature was “silenced, harassed, assaulted, bullied, and blackmailed” by the executive. This deliberate obstruction, according to Saraki, prevented the passage of “good laws, initiatives, and recommendations” that would have been highly beneficial to Nigerian society. Saraki also hinted at the possibility of having maintained a more amicable relationship with the presidency if he had chosen to comply with their wishes, stating, “I could have agreed with everything the Presidency under Buhari wanted and cut deals with them all the way. I would have been a good ally.”
The roots of the tense relationship between Saraki and the Buhari-led executive can be traced back to 2015, when Saraki’s ambition to become Senate President led him to defy his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). With the support of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saraki successfully emerged as Senate President, only to defect to the PDP shortly thereafter. This move marked the beginning of a frosty relationship between the National Assembly and the executive, characterized by hindered legislative progress and an overall climate of political tension.
Saraki’s allegations shed light on the intricate and often contentious dynamics between the legislative and executive branches of government in Nigeria, highlighting the challenges faced by the National Assembly in its efforts to serve the public interest. The implications of these claims are far-reaching, suggesting a need for greater transparency, cooperation, and accountability in the country’s governance structure. As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the experiences of leaders like Saraki offer valuable insights into the workings of the system and the importance of principled leadership in fostering a more effective and responsive government.
