Why Buhari Hunted Me Down – Saraki Makes Explosive Allegation

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has disclosed that his opposition to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s relentless borrowing was a key reason behind the political harassment and intimidation he endured during Buhari’s tenure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at the 2025 Reunion Gala of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) in Houston, Texas, Saraki explained that his firm stance on maintaining legislative independence turned him into a target for executive hostility.

“The National Assembly, under my leadership, faced constant harassment and blackmail. We were silenced, bullied, and treated like orphans, with both the elite and the masses remaining indifferent,” Saraki said.

According to Arise TV, Saraki argued that the pattern of intimidation from the executive arm during his term weakened the legislature and discouraged his successors from challenging the presidency out of fear of similar persecution.

“The current leadership of the National Assembly prefers to play it safe and act as a rubber stamp to avoid going through the kind of ordeal I experienced,” he remarked.

A Tense Relationship with Buhari

Saraki served as Senate President between 2015 and 2019—a period defined by friction with the Buhari administration. His controversial emergence as Senate President, contrary to the preference of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), widened the divide. This was followed by a series of legal battles, including charges of false asset declaration from his tenure as Kwara State governor, which many viewed as politically motivated.

The rift deepened when Saraki defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018. The APC’s unsuccessful attempt to impeach him only added fuel to the fire.

He accused Buhari’s government of deliberately sabotaging legislative efforts and emphasized that his refusal to bend to executive pressure made him a political target.

“I could have taken the easy route—agreed with everything the Presidency wanted and cut deals—but I chose not to. We stood our ground,” Saraki said.