…As Saraki blasts party, presidency for ‘humiliation’
Indications emerged on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, and other key stakeholders are considering juicy offers for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to prevent his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was learnt that some prominent leaders of the party, especially the coordinator of the reconciliation initiative, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, might be involved in the negotiation with Saraki.
Tinubu was said to have been briefed about the President’s interaction with Saraki and others.
But Saraki, who bowed well for the President after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, was frank in expressing his mind.
He said he felt humiliated by the party he co-founded and the government he jointly put in place with others.
He was solemn in expressing his disappointment to the President and some APC governors.
The President and some APC governors met with the Senate President as a follow-up to the talks with New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) caucus of APC being coordinated in the past few months by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
It was gathered that most APC leaders, governors and other members were unhappy that the party was on the verge of losing Saraki to PDP.
They believed that the defection of such a “political heavyweight” to the opposition might affect cohesion in APC for the 2019 poll.
The consequences of a depleted APC impelled some governors and party leaders to broker understanding between the President and Saraki.
A presidency source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At least, for the first time, there was a frank session between the President and Saraki.
“He expressed disappointment with his humiliation by the government he fought hard to put in place.
“We were all sober while he relived his travails, because none of us would pray to be in such a situation.
“We understood with him but we felt it was time to forgive and forget in order to move forward.
“As part of preventing Saraki’s defection, we may offer him juicy terms including:
- Automatic return as the President of the Senate in 2019
- More consultation and inclusiveness in key decisions henceforth
- Mutual Executive-Legislature relationship
- Revisiting all issues raised by nPDP Caucus which formed the basis of talks in the past few months
- Reconciling with all aggrieved leaders of nPDP
- Avoiding a repeat of past mistakes which led to his humiliation
“We also appeal to Saraki to shelve moves to defect to PDP or any other party. We agreed that he has a better stake in APC than any other party.”
Asked if Saraki made any commitment, the source added: “There was none yet, but the atmosphere was cordial and hopeful.
“After the meeting, he even bowed well to the President.
“The session was the climax of talks in the past few months. As one of our leaders, we leave the final decision to Saraki to take.
“But one thing was clear from Saraki: he will want all commitments put into writing and documented in case of any breach in the future.
“To some of us who have been wooing him, such a demand is in order. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “The final stage of talks with Saraki will still involve some of our leaders, like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is coordinating the reconciliation in the party.
“In fact, Tinubu has been briefed on the outcome of the meeting at the Villa and why he has to play a key role too.”
Recall that aggrieved members of the nPDP had earlier pointed the following unfair treatments from the presidency and the APC:
- Grudges on the conduct of state congresses
- Alleged refusal of the party leadership to stamp its feet on parallel congresses in some states
- Alleged intimidation, harassment and prosecution of nPDP members
- Alleged sidelining in the running of affairs of the country
However, as at the time of filing this report, it is not clear if Saraki will halt his proposed defection to the PDP as there has been no official statement from his office on the meeting with the president, vice president and other party chieftains.
