President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has denied mentioning former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a Tuesday chat with the Senate Press Corps, as claimed by a media report.
In a Wednesday statement through his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the senate president said he was only asked two questions during the commissioning of the press centre, both of which centred on the 2016 budget.
Olaniyonu described the report that Saraki talked about Obasanjo as “mere mischief and misrepresentation”.
He stated that the Senate President was committed to his earlier promise of replying the former President in a personal letter to address his legitimate concerns, and will not use any public event to give any direct or indirect response to Obasanjo’s letter.
The statement read: “The Senate President’s answer on the first question was that the success of the 2016 will depend less on oil price but more on the non-oil and independent revenue and that that is why the Senate will lay emphasis on the scrutiny of these areas as well as ensure that leakages are blocked so that the budget can be realized without any hitch.
“On the second question, he reiterated his earlier position that the Senate budget will no longer be a one-line item. He said details of the budget of the National Assembly will be provided for all to see what goes to what budget head. He urged all Nigerians to realize that mistakes have been made by all stakeholders in the past and that we should all move forward by ensuring those mistakes are not repeated.
“In fact his position that mistakes have been made by all of us in the past was a reference to all stakeholders like political office holders, the media, civil society, professional and business groups, among others.
“Dr. Saraki will like to maintain his earlier position that he will only write a formal letter to President Obasanjo to explain all the efforts the Eight Senate is making to address some of the issues the former President raised in his letter to him. The Senate President will not use any public event or the media to give any direct or indirect response to the legitimate points raised by the elder statesman and father of the nation.”
He also appealed to the media to stick to ethical reportage and avoid the urge to resort to sensational reportage to sell newspapers.
“The president of the Senate further urged the media to refrain from sensationalism which leads to twisting and misrepresentation of the position of public officers.
“The urge to sell newspapers should not override the need for ethical standard and accuracy in presentation of news to be maintained.
“The media should equally be sensitive to other people’s feelings,’’ the statement added. Saraki addressed newsmen on Tuesday when he opened the newly refurbished Press Centre for journalists covering the activities of the Senate.”