"A change of leadership of the Senate at this point in time, as being canvassed, will certainly spark some endless sessions of rancour, suspicion, crises and uncertainty among members. When such begins to happen, no one will be able to predict the end."

That was the verdict of former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatatakarda Wamakko, on Sunday, as he dismissed reports on plots to replace the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the strength of his case with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

This is even as traditional rulers in Kwara State, on Sunday, threw their weight behind the Senate President, alleging that Saraki was being persecuted.

Wamakko in a chat with correspondents in Abuja also described reports on plots by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the Senate as untrue.

He said such reports were mere imaginations of the authors, because according to him, the present reality on Senate matters never tallied with the reports.

Wamakko said Senators are rather meeting to strengthen the Senate under Saraki with a view to recovering the lost grounds on the legislative business under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

He said unknown to many, President Muhammadu Buhari had nothing to do with Saraki's present ordeal, most especially his stand-off with the Code of Conduct Bureau, which had dragged him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

President Buhari, he noted, is rather worried about the near state of inaction in the National Assembly and hence, has never been opposed to moves by the Senators to get the Senate back on a high octave in the interest of democracy.

He said: " I see Mr. President, Saraki and Senators holding a meeting very soon on how to salvage democracy which certain elements have been trying to subvert. They will find time to meet to stop our opponents from progressing with acts to sabotage of democracy.

"Once the President and the Senate leadership sit on a round table with a resolve to re-oil the wheels of democracy for national progress, the cynics, the political rabble-rousers and those who never mean well for the APC government will go to sleep.

Wamakko said Saraki having submitted himself to the law by appearing before the Code of Conduct Tribunal had helped the case preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau, appealing to critics stop pre-empting the cause of law.

He noted that those hoping to promote discord between President Buhari and the Senate President, banking on excuses would soon realise that democracy has advanced in Nigeria with more Senators anxious to make it work. Wamakko appealed to the media to show deeper understanding of the situation in the Senate by avoiding reports capable of setting the Senate on fire.

He said the removal of Saraki as being canvassed by those he described as faceless groups outside the National Assembly will end up as an ill-wind that will blow no good for the Senate, democracy and Nigeria.

He said: "Majority of Senators weeks ago passed a vote of confidence in Saraki because they were convinced that his style of leadership has been broad and progress inclined. Nothing has changed. Majority of our colleagues still believe that Saraki remains a stabilizing factor in the Senate for now.

"A change of leadership, at this point in time, as being canvassed, will certainly spark some endless sessions of rancour, suspicion, crises and uncertainty among members. When such begin to happen, no one will be able to predict the end."

Wamakko said Saraki shares the same ideology of 'change' with President Buhari, stating that every step so far taken by the Senate had been inclined towards promoting the change mantra, with national progress at the core of all considerations by Senators.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Kwara State, on Sunday, threw their weight behind the Senate President. The monarchs, led by their Chairman and Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari, warned against politics of persecution, saying the trial of Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not the change mantra of All Progressives Congress (APC) Nigerians bargained for.

Sulu-Gambari, who led prominent traditional rulers in the state on a solidarity visit to Saraki's residence in Ilorin, on Sunday, said the trial was a pointer to upset Nigerians. The Emir of Ilorin, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, stated that "it would be unwise to disguise under political altar to cow perceived political enemy".

He admonished Nigerians to be wary of bad elements bent on dismantling the country on account of political vendetta. "We are here for good reasons and bring the goodwill of the Council of Chiefs, representing all the chiefs and traditional rulers of Kwara State. We come here to join our son (Bukola Saraki) with whom we are much pleased.

"We are ready to support him. We are here to see him on the various constitutional challenges, we would not call it problem, and may God not make it a problem for us. "It doesn't take long for a 10- year old child to realise that our dear son, our precious son is being persecuted. The politics of persecution is not the right change for Nigeria. We want changes, we want it to be clean. He who seeks equity must come with clean hands.

"If you want equity, you yourself must do equity. There is situation where you must come with clean hands, there is situation where you must do equity to ask for equity. "We know there are several stages of challenges before our leader (Saraki) in Kwara State, as such that nobody in Nigeria can ever be clean enough. But do we want to upset the whole Nigerian community because we want beautiful change. Time and posterity will tell.

"But we want to appeal to men of goodwill that politics should not be played with bitterness. Politics should be about the unity of this country. We have come so far, we have tried many forms of political structures. The one before us now, which God has given the APC, the APC has been given straight jacket power of this country. We want to appeal for their understanding to keep what God has given them jealously from those who are ready to dismantle them. "We therefore came here to declare our unalloyed support, solidarity to our precious son.

"If you (Saraki) look back, you will see us in various forms, begging Almighty Allah to protect you. Nigeria should beware of destructive elements. Nobody is perfect. We are in this scheme to make Nigeria very strong in the comity of nations. "We have capable Nigerians, who can turn Nigeria around for good. Let us therefore face the issue before us instead of belabouring those things that will divide us permanently. God has given this administration leverage, God has given them all the powers. If there is no enemy from outside, let there be no enemy from within. Enough is enough for those who are wise.

"We should learn from our lessons of the past. We should learn very seriously, we should aim for the best. The greatest happiness of the greatest number of Nigerians is the most important thing, not the one that will create havoc and disunity.

"May God help you (Saraki) in your present challenges. You will survive by the grace of God. The whole of Kwara is behind you. Even in the PDP, they are behind you. This is not a question of politics or political parties. I mean it is politics, but not political parties. "This is where Kwara State has been given a chance to be part of the government of this country. We intend to retain it, we don't want anything to preclude us.

"Therefore, you are a test case for the whole country, and if I say test case, I believe men of understanding will understand what I mean. We should not fail, and you will not fail. We will continue to pray for you", the Emir of Ilorin said.

Responding, Saraki thanked the monarchs for their support and solidarity.

Said he: "I am greatly honoured and at the same time humbled to receive this visit from our royal fathers in my domain. The last time I had this honour was when I was still the governor of Kwara State.

"There is nothing more for me to add because you have spoken. You have spoken from your years of experience as a father, and as someone who has headed a very great arm of government, the judiciary.

"Your words of wisdom and encouragement will continue to give me great confidence. As you rightly put, it is a challenging time, not only for us the politicians, but generally the country. Be rest assured that with your support and your prayers, Insha Allah, we will overcome it.

"Because the entire people in this country know that this is not about prosecution, but persecution".

On the visit were Olofa of Offa, Oba Muhammad Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye II; Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye; Emir of Tsaragi, Alhaji Abdullahi Nda Pkoto; Olosi of Osi, Oba Salihu Adesofegbe; Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Sheu Muazu Umar and Alofa of Ilofa, Oba Samuel Dada.