Only my official vehicle, a Mercedes Benz, was changed — Saraki

Reacting to a publication by Premium times the Senate President Dr.Bukola Saraki through his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity)Yusuph Olaniyonu

explained why he had to change his official car a Mercedes Benz. Enjoy the full statement below.

Read full statement below.

“Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said only his official vehicle, a MercedezBenz, was changed and that the spare car in the convoy

is the old one he inherited and has been using since he assumed office June last year.

“Reacting to the claim by Premium Times that the Senate President has taken delivery of vehicles worth N330m, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Special

Adviser, stated that it was wrong for Premium Times to classify vehicles provided for security agencies like the police and State Security Service

by the National Assembly management for their operations as vehicles bought for the Senate President.

“It is an obvious fact that the official and spare cars that the Senate President inherited and has been using are old and have been

malfunctioning. There are instances like the day Dr. Saraki visited Keffi for the marriage of the daughter of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and another

day at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport that the spare vehicle broke down. In both instances, the spare vehicle

did not return home with the convoy. The same vehicle had malfunctioned at the Presidential Villa and National Mosque on different occasions. It

is for this reason that the Senate President approved that instead of providing two vehicles for him as he is entitled, only one should be bought

to replace the official vehicle while the old official car should be converted to spare car.
“Also, if the National Assembly Management chose to provide operational vehicles for Security Agencies, should that be presented as if they are

personal or official vehicles meant for the use of Dr. Saraki? These are vehicles that cannot be used for other purposes and by other people. The

Senate President also have no control over the security vehicles.

“it is also surprising that despite the fact that Premium Times in the same story reported that the order for the vehicle was made in December, it

chose to calculate the value of the vehicles based on current exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar. This is obviously a mischief aimed at

making the figure look huge and justify the screaming headline.
“The press should avoid deliberately inciting members of the public against public officials. The Senate President and his colleagues are

conscious of the economic situation in the country and will continue to act responsibly and responsively.

“Just last week, Dr. Saraki was informed that the Ministry of FCT in its 2016 budget proposed a N6 billion estimate for the construction of the

official residence of the Senate President. He outrightly rejected the proposal and directed Senator Dino Melaye, Chairman, Senate Committee on

FCT to bring down the cost to one billion Naira. He said that it should be made known to the Ministry that if it cannot construct the building

with N1 billion then they should leave out the project entirely till after his tenure. He said he will rather stay in his present abode. Senator

Melaye had already acted as instructed as indicated in the report his committee presented to the Appropriation Committee.

“It should therefore be noted that if Dr. Saraki can demonstrate frugality and responsible leadership in a matter that saved the country so much

money, how can it then be presented as if purchase of cars is a big issue that he cares so much about? Those who know the antecedent of the Senate

President know that there is no type of vehicle that can excite him at this stage in his life”, Olaniyonu stated.

Signed
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President