Anti-Saraki Senators back down, rally round embattled Senate President

Some All Progressives Congress senators
who opposed the election of Bukola Saraki as
Senate President, held a rare meeting
Tuesday with Mr. Saraki’s key supporters
from the same party, casting aside differences
that for months polarised the ruling party’s
senate caucus.
The meeting between the anti-Saraki group’s
so-called Unity Forum and pro-Saraki’s Like
Minds, had in attendance 10 senators – five
from each of the two camps. It took place at
the Asokoro residence of Aliyu Wammako, a
former Sokoto State governor.
Mr. Wamakko confirmed to PREMIUM
TIMES that the talks held.
The two sides had for months opposed the
other, with some members of Unity Group
pushing for Mr. Saraki’s removal.
The two groups emerged in the run up to the
election of the Senate’s principal officers.
Mr. Saraki won the top seat in defiance of his
party, APC’s decision to support his
challenger, Ahmed Lawan.
Unity Forum’s most outspoken member,
Kabiru Marafa, recently called for Mr.
Saraki’s resignation in view of the senate
president’s ongoing trial for alleged false
declaration of assets.
Tuesday’s meeting had in attendance Mr.
Lawan, Mr. Marafa, Gbenga Ashafa, and
Suleiman Hukunyi as part of the group’s
team.
One the other side, the Like Minds were
represented by Danjuma Goje, Mr.
Wammako, Sani Yerima, Kabiru Gaya and
Adamu Aliero.
Speaking exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES
at the end of the meeting which ended around
6.50 PM, Mr. Wammako said the meeting
was held to end the crisis that hit the APC
caucus following Mr. Saraki’s emergence as
senate president.
He said it was high time the Senators
belonging to the ruling party agreed to work
together in the interest of Nigeria and to
support President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Effectively the meeting has brought an end to crisis in the
Senate between APC Senators who now support the Senate
President, Bukola Saraki,” Mr. Wamako said.
This development came ahead of Mr. Saraki’s day at the
Code of Conduct Tribunal on Thursday when the tribunal is
expected to rule on his motion for the dismissal of the case
against him on grounds of procedural error.
Another Senator, a member of the Unity Forum, who
attended the meeting but asked that his identity be protected,
said the meeting had three outcomes and that both sides
agreed “to have a united APC caucus”.
The Senator said the first outcome was a decision that the
composition of Senate committees be reviewed to conform
with the Standing Rules of the Senate.
He said an upward review of the number of the committees
must follow due process as prescribed by Section 60 of the
Senate Rules.
The second point, he said, was that committees should also
be reconstituted to “favour APC Senators”.
He said it was finally agreed that the APC caucus henceforth
be “loyal to our party and be committed to its objectives”.
“The number three point is the supremacy of our party,
loyalty to our leaders and support for President Muhammadu
Buhari,” he said.
He said the “the meeting was held in the interest our party
and Nigeria”.
Asked if the meeting was held to settle the longstanding
Saraki row, he said, “It is beyond Saraki”. But he added that
“there is no crisis between us again”.
“This man (Saraki) is in court and anything can happen.
“So APC Senators must come together and unite; otherwise,
if anything happens to Saraki in the court PDP Senators who
are very united may take over the Senate.
“And that would be a very great disservice to our party, the
President and Nigerians who voted for change.
“So, we are now uniting like PDP Senators and are settling
our differences,” the Senator said.