Saraki has gotten the needed boost in the Senate to see him through his travails in the Code of Conduct Tribunal as his major opposition faction backs down.
Some All Progressives Congress senators who opposed the emergence 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 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 the online news platform 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.
