The Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, on Monday said there was no truth in the reports that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, were considering leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Abubakar, who is the chairman of the APC National Convention Committee, also promised to organise a rancour-free convention for the party.
The governor spoke with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “It is not true that Tambuwal and Saraki are negotiating with the PDP, we have not heard that. Some few weeks back, there was a rumour about the governor of Benue State and he made it clear at our last NEC that he is not moving anywhere. Those are rumours flying around but they don’t have consequence.
“We are united: Governor Tambuwal is with us and the Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President is also with the APC and we have not had any reason to think that they are negotiating elsewhere, no.”
When contacted, Saraki dismissed the reports of his imminent defection to the PDP as speculations.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, he said, “They are just speculating. The speculation has not just started, it has been on. I don’t have more comments on that. It is a speculation that is not starting today.”
Attempts to speak with Tambuwal’s spokesman, Imam Imam, proved abortive as his telephone line indicated that it was switched off while a text message sent to his phone was not responded to as of press time.
When asked what the party faithful should be expecting at the convention, Odigie-Oyegun said, “We expect a peaceful and rancour-free and good convention.
“They are all united and I am sure the convention will bring everybody together and in democracy, if you are open and straightforward, things get done well, I don’t think there should be any problem.”
Source: The Punch
