ABEOKUTA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, held a two-hour closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his Abeokuta Hilltop residence, Ogun State, on Friday.
Saraki arrived at Obasanjo’s residence at exactly 9.10am, in company with Senators Ahmed Yerima, Andy Uba, Tayo Alasoadura and Danjuma Goje.
Others in his entourage were a former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party and former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and a former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Kawu Baraje.
Emerging from the meeting two hours after, at 11.10am, Saraki acknowledged that there is crisis in the All Progressives Congress, given the controversy that had trailed his emergence as Senate president and his counterpart at the lower chamber, Yakubu Dogara, as Speaker.
But he, however, said the leadership of the party was already addressing it.
He said, “As you can see, things are moving smoothly. Be rest assured that all that would be put behind us very shortly. We are very confident about that.”
Saraki also expressed his support for a downward review of the legislators’ salaries and allowances to reflect current economic realities in the country.
He said, “Well, I think that is in progress already. If you remember last time, it was about N150bn and it is coming down to N120bn.
“I think the situation in the country deserves that every public servant must make sacrifices and whatever sacrifice that is necessary, we will make it. And that is being done.
“So be rest assured that we are sensitive, we are aware of the situation in the country and if we are going to lead, we must lead by example.”
Talking about the team’s visit to Obasanjo, the Senate President said they had come to pay homage, seek his advice and blessing because of his immense value to the country.
He said, “I am here with some of my colleagues to pay homage to him, to seek his advice, to get his blessing and also to consult.
“We all know President Obasanjo’s value to this country and we are here to tap from his wisdom, knowledge and experience.”
Credit: Punch (Nigeria)
