Yakkasai Expresses Worry over EFCC’s Action against Saraki

By Iyobosa Uwugiaren

An elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakkasai, has expressed worry over the recent invitation extended to former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Saraki recently honoured an invitation by the EFCC and he was interrogated by the anti-crime commission over alleged money laundering and other financial crimes.

However, expressing concern over EFCC’s action in a press statement Monday, Yakkasai hoped that the EFCC’s move against the former Senate President is not about the forthcoming general election in country.

‘’Many people have spoken with me about this latest development about Bukola Saraki by the anti-corruption agency, and the general thinking is that this move against Bukola might have something to do with his perceived presidential ambition, that is about preventing or interfering with that ambition. It will be sad if this is the motivation.

‘’Bukola is my son from many angles; he is a son of my late friend and political associate, Second Republic’s Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki. Besides, Bukola is a friend to my eldest son. For that reason, I am naturally concerned whenever his freedom and wellbeing is subjected to undue harassment.

‘’In addition, in my capacity as one of those who have committed themselves to the promotion of freedom and fundamental human rights of all citizens of our country, whether or not they are children of my friends or relatives,’’ the elder statesman stated.

Yakkasai, who said he had spent well over 70 years fighting for those rights, hoped that the move against Saraki is not the beginning of political intimidation or harassment of perceived political opponents of the party in power.

He said he does not belong to any political party in Nigeria, adding that his reaction is borne out of his commitment to the protection of individual’s liberty of all Nigerians regardless of their rank, ethnicity, creed or political inclinations.

He added: ‘’I believe he (Saraki) is qualified to become the president of Nigeria and he should be free to canvass his political ambitions just like any other qualified Nigerian. No attempt should be made to put obstacle on his way.

‘’Bukola appears to be the most investigated and most persecuted Nigerian politician known to be nursing presidential ambition. This is not the first time some security operatives are targeting him. But thanks be to God he has so far come out clean and vindicated by various courts of law. There should be an end to all these unnecessary attempts to silence or scare him.’’

While believing that the current EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, is a good professional, from the way he has been conducting himself, he advised him not to allow anybody to use his agency for politics and appealed to him to stand firm, and be professional in the conduct of his duties.

Yakkasia also appealed to politicians and the government of the day, to let the security agencies do their duties, free from undue interference and ensure that one does not use them to settle political scores or persecute their political opponents, saying the politics of 2023 should not be used as tool to undermine the stability of the country.