This is what president told Saraki during meeting
President Buhari and Senate President Saraki held a meeting on Thursday. Here's what they discussed.
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Villa sources told Pulsethat the meeting was at the instance of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu.
Saraki has been openly flirting with the PDP. The senate president has maintained that his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false declaration of assets and corruption, was politically motivated.
The Supreme Court has cleared Saraki of the charges.
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Saraki emerged president of the senate in flagrant disregard of the APC's zoning directive.
That Kwara meeting
On Wednesday, July 18, Saraki flew into Kwara for the burial rites of Kawu Baraje’s mum and was photographed with a host of PDP politicians including PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, among others
Other aggrieved APC governors and senators like Benue Governor Samuel Ortom, Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, were also part of the meeting.
Pulse has been told that the mass defection of some of these political heavyweights and their supporters from the APC to the PDP, is only but days away.
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Pulse understands that the Kwara meeting at Baraje’s residence was held to discuss what time was best for Saraki and other aggrieved nPDP and R-APC members to defect to the PDP from whence they came.
Why Buhari stepped in
When the defection plan of Saraki and his allies was shared with President Buhari, he asked for a meeting with Saraki and had another scheduled for later with Speaker Yakubu Dogara who is also unhappy with the APC, sources told Pulse.
Governors Amosun, Masari and Bagudu advised Buhari to plead with Saraki and his friends not to dump the APC, Pulse has learnt.
“The culmination of their peace moves was what you saw yesterday”, a Villa source disclosed while pleading that his name be left out of this story.
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Pulse was however told that the meeting between Buhari and Saraki was inconclusive and that the senate president didn’t entirely give the president his word on whether he was defecting or not.
"The senate president is still weighing his options and will announce his decision soonest", a source in Saraki's office told Pulse.
An APC in crisis
The governing APC is in disarray at the moment; with several factions screaming ill treatment at the top of their voices and reatening a walkout.
Saraki’s spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
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The presidency also didn't issue a statement after the meeting between Saraki and Buhari, underscoring the sensitivity and secrecy of the talks.
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