Events of the past few days seem to have positioned Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki as a strong contender for the highest office in the land.
On July 4, 2018, an NYSC corps member Linda Igwetu was returning home with her friends following a night out in Abuja, when they ran into a police checkpoint.
Minutes later, a police officer pulled the trigger on Ms. Igwetu. She was rushed to the hospital, but doctors said she was far too gone to be kept alive. Before dawn, Igwetu was pronounced dead.
On Thursday, Senate President Bukola Saraki put a phone call across to the late Igwetu’s sister, expressing his condolence.
Tonight, I spoke to Chinenye, Linda Igwetu’s sister. Such a tragedy.
They deserve justice and I commit to doing my best to achieve this. May her soul Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/js3wesn2Zh
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) July 5, 2018
The development was received with widespread commendation from many Nigerians who saw that singular act as a classic display of governance empathy.
Barely 24 hours later, Nigeria’s Supreme Court in a landmark ruling on Friday discharged Saraki, freeing him of all corruption charges brought against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The apex court in its ruling delivered by Justice Centus Nweze described Saraki’s CCT trial as “a caricature of justice.”
If there were a few Nigerians who toyed with the idea of a 2019 Saraki presidency, the Supreme Court ruling discharging him of corruption charges may have only amplified the call for him to run for President.
This is how Twitter Nigeria is reacting;
Saraki is low-key one of the best politicians we have at the top
He’s doing just fine as the Senate President imo….and to think he hasn’t shown any interest in contesting for the forthcoming election, it’s really good
— Rommy (@rommy_IDGAF) July 6, 2018
Why is Dr Saraki not contesting for President
I will gladly work for this man
— Omoola (@ayodejigig1) July 5, 2018
Bring on @bukolasaraki place him side by side with the current failure we have as a president. I will campaign and mobilize people for Saraki. He is such a class politician. Forget all the lies and propaganda, this man has what it takes to be a leader. Well Done sir.
— Mr. Yinkz (@yinkuzjyde) July 5, 2018
I want Bukola Saraki to contest for the office of the president because he has no corruption case again.
He is now a free man.
— TUNDE Babamale. ???? (@babastundey) July 6, 2018
Saraki has been more presidential than your president. ????
— Kelvin Odanz (@KelvinOdanz) July 5, 2018
Saraki is the only President I know.
— Elepo Robi Inc. (@femiTRIP) July 5, 2018
I’d go get my PVC if Saraki came out for president. Not these cattle-rearing retards lacking common sense
— Господин (@biyno) July 4, 2018
Bukola Saraki has done more for Nigerians than the Commander in Chief. This is what the President should be doing https://t.co/CkfOIfcbqS
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) July 6, 2018
True Leadership in a political setting may not solve all societal problems but Empathy in a Leader goes a long way towards making people feel able to cope a little better with their challenges and problems.
Saraki gets this thing more than every single person inside Aso Rock. https://t.co/oFjcla099R
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) July 5, 2018
Bukola Saraki is acting and representing like a President.
From passing laws to negotiating end of medical strikes to reaching out to Nigerian suffering under police brutality….his optics are very good.
— The Republican (@9grrepublican) July 6, 2018
Saraki should run for president
— All-round Papi???? (@Cardinal4400) July 6, 2018
Saraki is going to run for President soon and guess what if he continues like this he might win
— IBS (@ibs01) July 6, 2018
If Saraki runs for president, I might get my PVC
— Eso❄ (@ESONINJA) July 6, 2018
If Bukola Saraki is on the ballot, he has my vote. https://t.co/xAIDEXZr1e
— Llorente (@mr_popoola) July 6, 2018
Bukola Saraki has done more for Nigeria in his 3 years as Senate President than President Buhari over his two terms as President.
— Llorente (@mr_popoola) July 4, 2018
#Sarakimustgo
If not for Saraki, Buhari would have killed all of us. If Saraki must go anywhere, it should be Aso Rock as our next president. Chikena— Gomez (@Gomeznsude) July 3, 2018
Empathy, either real or perceived, is a critical part of leadership. I’ve criticized him a lot for running a parallel presidency, but this was a decent thing to do. https://t.co/vpNv7zUcKb
— Akin Oyebode (@AO1379) July 5, 2018
Saraki should just run for President I’ll vote for him happily ???? https://t.co/uZJh9a403C
— TedFokinMilez (@TedMilez) July 2, 2018
When you try to reconcile what @bukolasaraki has done as the Senate President, you wonder what happened during the Senate Presidencies of his predecessors, I am very proud of Sen. Saraki, more than proud of him and he will make a good President IMHO
— For Thou Art With Me???????? (@kmbiamnozie) February 19, 2018
I wish Saraki was in the running for President.
— Eja nla. ???? (@_Udanyi) July 1, 2018
Bukola Saraki shows more concern, empathy and compassion to the sensitive issues in the country than Buhari, is this not apathy and dereliction of duty from the president who promised to protect and defend us? @segalink @bukolasaraki
— Ajayi Oluwamuyiwa Livingseed (@AjayiOluwamuyi1) July 6, 2018
This man always doing the right things at the right time, like him or hate; Bukola Saraki is currently the best performed Leader and the most productive Senate President Nigeria has experienced. https://t.co/Nz94Zxqqlu
— Oluyemi Fasipe ???????? (@YemieFASH) July 6, 2018
UEFA upturns Saraki’s RED Card, He is now free and available for 2019 Champions league Final https://t.co/K4TsaVtbmg
— Ebube D Statesman (@akaebube) July 6, 2018
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