Is senate president about to dump APC?

There are growing insinuations in certain quarters that Senate President Bukola Saraki is warming up to dump the APC for the PDP.

Rumours over Saraki’s possible defection have been swirling forever and he hasn’t done a good job of quelling them, it has to be said.

The Daily Trust newspaper reports that the Chairman of the PDP in Kwara State, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo led some political bigwigs in the State to the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja this week, for showdown talks.

During their meeting with the PDP chairman, Prince Uche Secondus“they pleaded with him not to allow Saraki to hijack the party”.

Hijack

Oyedepo was quoted in that report as saying; "We are apprehensive of what the national leadership can do to welcome somebody who had gone away from the party and is being given a royal welcome into the party.

"It is not Saraki's coming that create any fear, it is whatever the national leadership can do to encourage him to seize the party's structure from established people of Kwara State.

"Whoever is returning must respect the structure of our party and cooperate with us appropriately. We will welcome Saraki with open hands if he comes to be part of the party. We can't say somebody should not join our party.

"In plain language, the executive that is on ground was constitutionally elected for four years and parties are always in anticipation of new people joining them. You cannot dismantle the structure of a party because someone is joining the party”.

Politics

Saraki’s spokesperson, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu wasn’t immediately available for comments. Repeated calls placed to his mobile went unanswered.

However, a close aide of the senate president told Pulse that it was all speculation and politics from the Kwara State chapterof the APC.

“It’s all politics being played by Kwara APC. And believe me when I say the Senate President isn’t thinking of a defection right now. What does he stand to gain by joining the PDP at this time?

“Please if you want to know where the rumours are coming from, call the Kwara APC.”

Pulse wasn’t able to get a Kwara APC official on the record for this story before press time.

Saraki dumped the PDP for the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections.

He’s however faced trial on charges bordering on false declaration of assets and corruption since he emerged senate president without his party’s blessings.