Senate Presidency Tussle: Saraki Denies Boycotting Meeting Called By VP Osinbajo

Osinbajo-SarakiA former governor of Kwara State now Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has reacted to some media reports that he shunned a truce meeting called by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr. Saraki is a leading contender for the position of Senate President but he is not the official candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress, which chose his main challenger, Ahmed Lawan, in a mock election at the weekend.

In a bid to present a common front and unity party members ahead of the election of principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives today, the vice president had reportedly called an emergency meeting with the party’s lawmakers.

According to the reports, Mr. Saraki had boycotted the meeting after reportedly telling party leaders that as a former governor he could not attend a meeting summoned by a ‘mere commissioner’, in reference to VP Osinbajo, whose previous public office was as a Commissioner of Justice in Lagos State.

But the Senator has now issued a statement not only denying receiving an invitation to any meeting called by the vice president, he also denied making disparaging comments about Mr. Osinbajo.

The statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Bamikole Omishore, reads:

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.