Exclusive… Saraki may drop Ndume, others for Lawan, Akume

In from Olumide Olaoluwa…

Senate President Bukola Saraki may be ready to sacrifice the principal officers he announced in place of those favoured by the APC when the Senate reconvenes on July 22.

Ripples learnt yesterday that Saraki is making a u-turn to curry the favour of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has refused to see or congratulated him since his election on June 9.

The APC had written to Saraki to nominate Ahmed Lawan as senate leader and George Akume as deputy senate leader.

Saraki however refused to read the letter from the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on the floor of the Upper Chamber.

Rather than yield to the party directives, he went ahead to announce Ali Ndume and Bala Ibn Na’Allah as senate leader and deputy respectively.
Read Also: Reps in free for all, as Saraki names Senate officers

The announcement further strained his relations with the party’s leadership.

But the latest move, it was gathered, is also aimed at pacifying aggrieved chieftains of the APC, who have vowed to remove Saraki at all costs.

Competent sources informed that the senate president is ready to bend backwards to avoid further incurring the wrath of Buhari, who is said to be livid with the divisive emergence of Saraki.

An aide close to Saraki said: “He is ready to accommodate the party’s choices now. Ordinarily, it is a tough call because he has to work with those who contested against him.

“But to give peace a chance and in the interest of the party, His Excellency will now bulge. That is not however a show of cowardice but a sign of statesmanship.”

Asked to confirm if Saraki was being blackmailed to make the move, he answered in the negative.

“This is not about blackmail but political expediency. When the President refuses to see the senate president and grants access to factional groups, you have to realise that the game is up.

“The Senate Presidency has been secured at least. We can give out other positions while hoping that the move will be reciprocated.”
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Investigations revealed that the elections of the principal officers were still subjected to approval, a development that offers Saraki the latitude to make the expected detours.

“When the Senate reconvenes, the President will wave an olive branch by dropping the announced principal officers. That will stem the tide of opposition and allow him to concentrate on leading the 8th National Assembly,” another source confirmed.

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