Today, December 19, 2016, is the birthday of the Nigerian Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.
The former Kwara State governor, who was born on December 19, 1962 to the family of Olusola Saraki, clocks 54 today.
In a goodwill message to the celebrant, as posted online by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media & Publicity, Buhari felicitates with the Senate President, describing him as “one of the most influential politicians of our time who has made tremendous impact on the country.”
President Buhari notes that Senator Saraki has successfully kept the memory of his late father alive by identifying with the grassroots in his home state.
While wishing the Senate President many more prosperous years ahead, the President calls for closer cooperation between the executive and the legislature to ensure the smooth implementation of government policies and programmes.
According to President Buhari, despite the principle of separation of powers, both arms of government should be united in the promotion of the common good of the people.
He notes that whatever differences that may occasionally arise between the two branches of government should not be allowed to compromise their common goals of promoting the greater progress and development of Nigeria.
Prior to his current position as Nigerian Senate President, Saraki was the Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011. He was first elected to the Senate in April 2011, representing the Kwara Central senatorial district, and re-elected in the March 2015 elections.
Saraki is currently a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and previous member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).