Senator Bukola Saraki has denied reports that he disrespected Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and called the latter names as the battle for principal positions in the National Assembly reaches a crescendo.
Saraki has been locked in a battle for the Senate President position with Sen Ahmed Lawan. As the ruling party, the APC should ideally produce the Senate President in the 8th Assembly.
Online news site, Sahara Reporters had written that Saraki had shunned a peace meeting called by the Vice President after factions emerged from the APC’s straw polls during the weekend. Some parts of the story had read:
Senator Saraki boycotted the meeting after reportedly telling party leaders that as a former governor he could not attend a meeting summoned by a ‘mere commissioner’, referring to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, whose previous public office was as Commissioner of Justice in Lagos State. Saraki then became a Senator, while Osinbajo is now the Vice President.
But in a swift reaction through his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki denied the story. He said he wasn’t invited for any meeting with the Vice President.
“Senator Saraki having being in public service in different capacity knows the importance of respecting the office and person of the Vice President. And therefore advise those spreading false news to cease and desist.
“Senator Saraki therefore, uses this opportunity to assure His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria of his highest regards”, the statement read.
Read the full statement below:
SENATOR SARAKI HAS GREAT RESPECT FOR THE PERSON AND OFFICE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF OSINBAJO VICE PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
The attention of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s media office has been drawn to a publication by an online tabloid which insinuated that “Senator Saraki Boycotts APC Leadership Meeting To be Chaired by VP Osinbajo”
We wish to categorically state that up to this very point 10:50pm, 8th of June 2015, senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki is yet to receive any official invitation from His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria or through any other source for any meeting; political, social or otherwise.
Understanding the importance of last minute consultation required for the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, Senator Saraki has been attending to meetings with colleagues and friends on the program for the 8th assembly.
Senator Saraki having being in public service in different capacity knows the importance of respecting the office and person of the Vice President. And therefore advise those spreading false news to cease and desist.
Senator Saraki therefore, uses this opportunity to assure His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria of his highest regards.
Signed
Bamikole Omishore
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