Saraki hosts 8th NASS members for iftar, remembers late colleagues

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday hosted members of the 8th National Assembly at his residence in Abuja for an Iftar dinner, nearly 11 years after the lawmakers first came together to serve the country.

Saraki, who presided over the Senate between 2015 and 2019, described the reunion as a memorable occasion and expressed hope that the gathering would become an annual tradition.

Sharing details of the event on his X page on Saturday, the former Senate President wrote, “Nearly eleven years after we first came together to serve our dear nation, yesterday it was a pleasure to, once again, host my colleagues from the 8th National Assembly for Iftar at my home in Abuja.”

The reunion was also marked by moments of reflection as the former lawmakers remembered colleagues who have passed away. Prayers were offered for the repose of their souls and for the families they left behind.

Saraki noted that the gathering honoured the memories of late senators including Isiaka Adeleke, Ali Wakili, Mustapha Bukar, Rose Okoh, Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, Ahmed Zanna and Peter Nwaoboshi.

The former Kwara State governor also acknowledged former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently serving a prison term in the United Kingdom, noting that prayers were offered for his strength.

Saraki further commended Foster Ogola for attending the gathering despite battling illness.

“I was touched by the presence of Senator Foster Ogola, who, despite illness, still made the effort to join us,” he said.

The 8th National Assembly, which sat between 2015 and 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was widely regarded as one of the most turbulent legislative periods in Nigeria’s democratic history due to frequent clashes between the executive and the legislature.

Saraki thanked all attendees for honouring the invitation and prayed for the continued good health of surviving members, reiterating his plan to sustain the Iftar gathering as an annual reunion.