NASS leadership: Tinubu, others offered us deals –PDP

Fresh facts have emerged on the horse-trading and trade-off that led to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President, Deputy Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee, Olisa Metuh, in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun had alleged that former Lagos State governor and  National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu actually reached out to certain leaders of the PDP to sell his anointed candidates for the positions of Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives.

The PDP national publicity secretary further disclosed that the camps of Femi Gbajabiamila and Senator Ahmed Lawan promised PDP lawmakers in both the Red and Green Chambers, juicy committees.

APC Governors Demand Resignation of Chairman,

Oyegun Eight Governors of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja Tuesday to demand the resignation of its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. 

Oyegun who was presiding over the party’s NWC meeting at the time, excused himself to meet the governors, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger) Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa). 

Ahmad Lawan-led Faction Goes To Court Against Saraki

  

Ahmad Lawan-led faction of elected Senators that did not participate in the Tuesday, June 9 election that produced Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu as President and Deputy President of the Senate, has indicated that they are heading to court to contest the election.

Saraki Denies Snubbing Truce Meeting Called By Vice President Osinbajo

A former governor of Kwara state, and senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, Bukola Saraki, has issued a statement debunking reports that he snubbed a truce meeting called by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr. Saraki is a leading contender for the presidency of the Nigerian Senate, but he is not the official candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress, which is rooting for his main challenger, Ahmed Lawan.

A report had indicated that Mr. Saraki boycotted a meeting called by Mr. Osinbajo to explore the possibilities of the APC having a consensus candidate ahead of the election of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives Tuesday.

But the former governor has now issued a statement, saying he received no invitation to any meeting called by the vice president.

He also denied making disparaging comments about the vice president.

Read full statement below.

SENATOR SARAKI HAS GREAT RESPECT FOR THE PERSON AND OFFICE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF OSINBAJO VICE PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

The attention of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s media office has been drawn to a publication by an online tabloid which insinuated that “Senator Saraki Boycotts APC Leadership Meeting To be Chaired by VP Osinbajo”

We wish to categorically state that up to this very point 10:50pm, 8th of June 2015, senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki is yet to receive any official invitation from His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria or through any other source for any meeting; political, social or otherwise.

Understanding the importance of last-minute consultation required for the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, Senator Saraki has been attending to meetings with colleagues and friends on the program for the 8th assembly.

Senator Saraki having been in public service in different capacity knows the importance of respecting the office and person of the Vice President. And therefore advise those spreading false news to cease and desist.

Senator Saraki therefore, uses this opportunity to assure His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria of his highest regards.

Signed:

Bamikole Omishore

SA Media & Advocacy