SENATE PRESIDENCY: Why I boycotted APC primary election – Bukola Saraki

Former governor of Kwara State and a major contender for the seat of
Senate President in the 8th Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki has explained
why he boycotted the mock primary election organised by the APC on
Saturday to elect the party’s candidate for the Senate Presidency.
Saraki explained his decision to boycott the primary in a statement signed
by Dino Melaye and Ahmed Sani.
The statement reads: “We the Senators-Elect of Like Minds today 6TH of
June 2015, on the invitation of our party, attended an interactive meeting
with selected 5 members from each group, the Unity Forum and the Like
Minds Group.
“Regrettably, the Unity Forum insisted on open ballot voting which we
discovered is different from the electoral process used to conduct the
earlier election with the House of Representatives members elect. To us,
this open ballot voting is primitive; undemocratic and against universal
electoral norms and practice.
“In the light of the
above, we the
Senators elect of Like
Minds hereby insist
on our position of
Open Secret voting
process which we
believe is in
consonance with the
provisions of the
electoral act, the
constitution of the
Federal Republic of
Nigeria, and the
universal electoral
values.
“As responsible citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and leaders in our
own right, we have resolved and hereby state that we shall not be part of a
process that promotes undemocratic electoral process that may resort to
rancorous and uncivil situations which inhibits the rights of individuals to
vote for the candidate of their choice, as this process will further divide us
than unite members of our party.
“In conclusion we the Senators-Elect of Like Minds wish to state
categorically that we will participate only in the constitutional election
scheduled for Tuesday, the 9th of June 2015 in line with the rules of the
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We by this press release invite the media to a joint press conference by
the 65 Senators-Elect of Like Minds drawn from across party lines on
Monday morning, the 8thof June 2015.”