THE news that Bukola Saraki, Senate President, has been invited by the Nigeria Police Force for alleged involvement in the April 2018 Offa armed robbery incident, has generated huge controversy across the country.
On Twitter, Saraki has been trending since the news was broken late on Sunday, as people expressed their opinions on the development.
Following the discussions, there is a sharp divide between those who believe Saraki is being framed up, and those who feel there must be a connection between Saraki and the arrested criminals.
The first group cited instances with outspoken lawmakers like Dino Melaye of Kogi State and Shehu Sani of Kaduna State, who have both been critical of the federal government. Both Melaye and Sani have been accused of sponsoring criminal activities in recent times.
On the other hand, the second group argue that Saraki may not have sent the suspected armed robbers to go and rob banks, but it could be they were his political thugs.
Some of the Saraki supporters went as far as suggesting that impeachment proceedings be kick-started against Buhari, while those against him wondered why he is not in custody already.
But there are those who just do not care. They believe the whole drama with police and lawmakers are just what it is, drama and politics.
“If Saraki is innocent, the case will fizzle and disappear once it no longer has political relevance. If Saraki is guilty, the case will fizzle and disappear once it no longer has political relevance. Nothing in this is about justice, it’s all politics. Don’t lose your sleep,” Ayo Sogunro tweeted.
Meanwhile, here are some of the reactions for and against Saraki’s involvement in the Offa bank robbery incident during which at least 30 persons were killed.
OPINIONS IN FAVOUR OF SARAKI
Why would the Senate President sponsor armed robbers? To do what, make money he already has? Why are the words of robbery suspects so believable to prompt such slander, doesn't the police have the capacity to investigate this and gather evidence quietly, if there are any at all?
— Ahmad Salkida (@A_Salkida) June 4, 2018
It's not by accident that vocal critics of govt in the Senate are facing Armed robbery charges
Dino Melaye is contending with one.
Saraki is now facing one.Even Shehu Sani, who is as peaceful, harmless and playful as Fellaini, has been accused
Democracy is in injury time
— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) June 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/Maybeks/status/1003344078057230338
All of a sudden, Offa Robbers were gifted Cars, money/arms to rob. Meanwhile, Offa Robber said the ex policeman in the gang supplied them guns. Oh no, the car customized plate number has SARAKI's name. If you understand criminal law procedure, you will slap the IGP if you see him
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) June 3, 2018
If I were Saraki, I would get my lawyer to inform the police that I would only be available on Tuesday at 4pm. Tuesday morning I would impeach Buhari and Osinbajo…then become acting president and arrest the IGP for murder of Kano REC.
— Solakuti.com (@Solakutidotcom) June 3, 2018
I doubted @bukolasaraki could emerge as Senate President. Events thereafter proved me wrong. After he emerged, I have come to appreciate his style. You might not like Saraki, but at this time, he remains the only leader who represents Democracy in Nigeria. The rest are TYRANTS!
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) June 3, 2018
So Bukola Saraki, a two-time Governor of Kwara and now a Senate president with his ‘boy’, Ahmed as serving Governor and his wife, a daughter of the famous Ojora family of Lagos does not know where to raise money and decides to arm some boys to rob a bank in Offa,Kwara. Any sense?
— May Ubeku (@Maybeks) June 3, 2018
If the EFCC can be used as a tool against political opponents, then the IGP can use the police force as a weapon against the Senate whom he so much loathes.
We’ve seen this script play out with Dino Melaye, and now Saraki. Reeks of dirty politicking, a plot. Shameful https://t.co/9p9A9My9uW
— Kelvin Odanz (@KelvinOdanz) June 3, 2018
OPINIONS AGAINST SARAKI
#OffaBankArmedRobberyGate My Guess From Publicly Available Information:
Are some suspects linked to @bukolasaraki ? ✅
Are some suspects linked to Kwara State Government ?✅
Are some materials used linked to KWSG✅
Are both Saraki & KWSG aware of offa Robbery Operation? ❌— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) June 3, 2018
To think that I did a thread on Naija politicians and empowerment only yesterday! Now that Saraki & Kwara State Gov appear to have empowered wahala, let's hope their corrupt peers in Naija's leadership will stop d madness of looting funds & "empowering" their victims with trifle.
— Pius Adesanmi (@pius_adesanmi) June 3, 2018
U believe PMB armed herdsmen to kill farmers in NC. But u do not believe Saraki can have anything to do with armed robbers? Restore ur brain to factory settings
— Okokobioko Master (@comradop) June 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/femifactor/status/1003555120926388224
The Saraki 'Good Boys' saga is an opportunity to start the process of relegating political thuggery to the dustbin of Nigerian history.
It's ironic though- the same Senate President who passed #NotTooYoungToRun is also busy 'encouraging' youth into thuggery. Make up your mind G.
— Muyiwa Gbadegesin, PhD (@muyiwag) June 4, 2018
Was it my name that was mentioned in relation to the Offa Bank robbery? Answer is NO.
Go to PANTI and see the number of persons that are languishing there as a result of false accusation.
So why is Saraki's case different? Abeg make him carry him cross jare.
— 🧛♀️OPTIMUS🧛♀️🧘🇱🇮 (@MrJuniorEbong) June 4, 2018
Meanwhile, Saraki has denied having anything to do with the arrested Offa bank robbery suspects, describing the development as a baseless allegation and another ploy by the Police to implicate him by all means.
“Let it be known that there is no way I could have been associated with armed robbery against my people,” read the statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki’s media aide.
“This plot is concocted to embarrass me and, in the mind of the IGP, it is his own response after his refusal to honour the invitation by the National Assembly, headed by me, for him to come and offer explanations on the rampant killings and violence across the country.
“Like the earlier one, this frame-up will also fail as I hereby state categorically that I have no link with any band of criminals.”