Alhaji Bashir Tofa, who contested the 1993 presidential election with the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has urged that other former governors be probed so that the prosecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will not look like a witch-hunt.
While he admitted that Saraki’s prosecution shows the government’s seriousness, he noted: “People are worried about Senator Bukola’s case, because it appears he is the only former governor accused of this particular serious crime. Investigators will do well to show that it is not so and to spread their searchlight on others, otherwise the impression will be justified. In any case, care needs to be taken so as not to go beyond the limits,” Tofa told Vanguard in an interview.
However, the former presidential candidate applauded President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said has done well so far.
“I think, on the whole, President Buhari has done well and that is expected. Anybody who enters a house and just begins to live in it without checking the structure and the leakages and doing something to do some repair, that house may collapse on him if it is structurally deficient. President Buhari now knows more about the condition of the house,he is making some repairs, strengthening some pillars, blocking some leakages, and can now be said to be ready to settle down and do what is needful.
“Hopefully, the ministers will be given their portfolios by mid-November; they will quickly move to their ministries, examine things, review the draft budgets for their ministries; a final budget will be agreed upon by the Executive Council and presented to the National Assembly – all before the end of December. Hopefully, the National Assembly will not waste time, knowing the poor state of the nation,” he said.
Tofa also reacted to the walkout staged by senators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi as minister.
“Well, it was just the normal mischief and envy by those who fear Amaechi becoming a minister, after two successful terms as governor of Rivers State. Surely, he has enemies and, if you noticed, objections that are received in respect of some of the nominees were from their home states. Remember what Jesus (peace be upon him) said: “A prophet is not popular in his own country”.
“But Rotimi Amaechi is a good man, hard working and friendly to those who know him well. Again, he was right about the rigged elections in Rivers State. The tribunal has vindicated him.”
