Senate President of the 8th Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has said his saddest day as the President of the Nigerian Senate was the day armed men of Department of State Security invaded the premises of the national assembly.
He said this in his valedictory message on Thursday as his leadership winds down.
Saraki had asked his colleagues to observe a minute silence in honour of late Senators Ali Wakili (Bauchi South), Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) and Bukar Mustapha (Katsina North) who passed away in the course of the eight Senate, before reading his speech.
He expressed thanks to his colleagues for their support even amidst trials and stated that the saddest moment for him would remain the day the Senate was invaded and the mace stolen.
He said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank each and every one of you for your contributions towards making this the historic Senate that it is.
“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.
“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.”
Earlier in his speech, Kogi west senator, Dino Melaye has also described the day mace was stolen as his saddest day adding that his happiest day was the day Saraki won the Senate presidency seat.
He said, “To my surprise, many of those who orchestrated your downfall and removal have now called you their mentor, only God give and take power.”
“The happiest day in my life was the day Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki emerged as the Senate President.”- Senator
“The saddest day of my life was when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege led thugs to steal the Senate mace, a symbol of unity.”
