The newspaper report had claimed that Tinubu was conspiring with Saraki to frustrate the ministerial screening at the senate, even though both men appears not to have reconciled their differences since Saraki went into an alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to beat Ahmad Lawan, emerging the Senate President against the wish of the party.
But while Tinubu felt a need to react to the newspaper report particularly to deny the allegation that he was conspiring with Saraki to frustrate the screening of the ministerial nominees because some of the names listed did not reflect his wish, he added a twist to his response, indicating that he is still unhappy with the Senate President over his emergence as head of the red chamber.
Tinubu in his response said he would not hold such a conversation with Saraki, whom he described as an opportunist, adding that those behind the report were only trying to create animosity between him and the president.
“It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul,” a statement issued on Tinubu’s behalf by his spokesman Sunday Dare reads.
He added that: “The idea of an alleged conspiracy between Tinubu and Saraki against the president is an execrable lie. Without any proof except the veil of innuendo. The story proclaims that the government is surveilling Asiwaju Tinubu because of his purported unhappiness about the ministerial list.”
“There has been no substantive communication between Asiwaju and Saraki since the latter decided to foul the integrity of the senate and the party.
But few hours after the statement by the spokesperson of Tinubu was released, Senate president Bukola Saraki responded saying he has decided not to join issues with Tinubu.
He said Nigerian are aware that has been no meeting or communication between him and Tinubu since he was elected Senate President and therefore sees no any basis for a newspaper to report that he is plotting with Tinubu to oppose the President.
“I saw the statement said to be issued by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a story published by The Sun newspapers. I have decided not to join issues with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, I know that most Nigerians are aware that there has been no meeting or communication between me and Asiwaju Tinubu since I was elected Senate President. Therefore, I do not see any basis for a newspaper to report that we are both plotting to oppose the President,” a statement signed by Saraki reads.
According to Saraki, “I recognise Tinubu as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed so much to the victory of the party in the last election. Some other people also contributed and I believe the collective efforts made it possible for the first time in the history of our party for an opposition party to win the general elections.”
“Let me state clearly that I remain a committed member of the APC and will do all in my power to ensure the party fulfill its promises to bring positive changes into the country.”
“Since my election as Senate President, my focus and efforts have been devoted to doing the job that I was elected to do by my constituents and my colleagues in the Senate. Twice, my colleagues have confirmed their support for me as the primus inter pares in the Senate.”
“As I said in my speech when we resumed from our recess late September and in Ikenne yesterday, the screening of ministerial nominees will be handled by me and my colleagues with all sense of responsibility and in adherence to the provision of the constitution. We will be fair to all and be guided by the interest of Nigeria. The screening will be devoid of sentiment and it is not an opportunity for anybody to settle scores. We are equally eager for us to make a positive difference in our polity and Nigerians will be able to judge us whether we acted in their best interest or not.”
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