BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
Dr. Bukola Saraki, president of the Senate has denied speculations that the presidency and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC are offering him and other aggrieved members of the party some carrots to placate them. In a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu , his special adviser, media, the Senate president said the talks being held were on issues that bother on national development.
According to Saraki, to place personnel interest of the political players above that of the country would be an insult to the Nigerians. He said, “It is important for Nigerians to know that the discussions that I and many others of like minds are having with the Presidency and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) is not about me and what I want. It involves the future of our country and her democracy. It is about making things better for our people.”
The Senate president was apparently reacting to statements by some members of the reformed APC, a faction for which he is believed to have sympathy. They had insinuated that desperate efforts were being made by the presidency and the party to prevent the aggrieved group from leaving the fold. The insinuation attracted attention because of the sudden high interest of the APC leadership to dialogue with the group,, after Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman had described them as inconsequential members of the party. He said they would not be missed.
So members of r-APC , following meetings with their leaders, decided to take it back on Oshiomhole and the party that they were practically taking their wirds back. Some of them also said oil blocks and assurances of party tickets for 2019 election were being dangled to appease the politicians. But Saraki, in making that clarification said, “The major issue on the table for discussion is how to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy, stop the spate of insecurity, improve the conditions of living of our people and generally chart a course for the development of this great country.”
He also said that he had genuinely put matters about his political persecution behind him, adding that his political future is in the hands of God.
