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.

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.

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.