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I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by missbehave247(m): 2:19am On Jun 28, 2015 |
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has denied reports that he is nursing the ambition for presidency in 2019, saying he actually quit his presidential bid in the 2015 election for President Muhammadu Buhari. Saraki stated that he contributed immensely to the emergence of Buhari as President and contributed greatly to his victory in the presidential election held on March 28, 2015. The Senate President, who spoke to select journalists in an exclusive interview in Abuja on Saturday, also denied having plans to dump the All Progressives Congress due to the ongoing crisis in the party over his leadership of the Senate. Rather, he said what remained paramount in his mind at the moment was how to support the Buhari- led administration to tackle the various social and economic problems confronting the country. Saraki said, “I was the first person that stepped down his political ambition, once General Buhari announced that he was going to contest the presidential election. And since then, prior to the period of election, I worked tirelessly to support his emergence. “Even some of my friends who are not supporting me now are doing so because I did not support them in their presidential ambition and that I supported President Buhari. That is why I find it funny that the same people are now claiming to love Buhari more than me. It is a very funny world. “These are people that I was begging to leave the stage for Buhari to run since all of us are young. They are now the one going round to say that Saraki did not like Buhari but time will tell.” The Presidency, however, faulted Saraki’s claim of stepping down for Buhari ahead of the presidential election. Saraki had on October 13, 2014, announced the suspension of his presidential bid in the interest of the country and his party. He, however, did not state which of the other aspirants he was going to back. Saraki’s statement then partly read, “I decided to step down my ambition because Nigeria’s political outlook for 2015 is very complicated and this is the time for every patriotic politician to situate his personal ambition in the context of the country’s overall interest. “I don’t think our party can afford too much internal rancour going into next year’s election. I, therefore, think some of us need to make the sacrifice and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem of the party.” This will be Saraki’s first personal response to the ongoing crisis that is trailing his controversial emergence as the President of the Senate on June 9. Saraki had led a faction of APC senators, under the auspices of the Like Minds Senators, to defy the party’s choice of Ahmad Lawan as the Senate President. In what many have described as a ‘coup’, the pro- Saraki group had allied with the opposition lawmakers in the Peoples Democratic Party to make Saraki leader of the upper chamber of the legislature in the absence over 50 APC senators. A similar scenario had also played out in the House of Representatives where Yakubu Dogara opposed Femi Gbajabiamila, the choice candidate of his party, to emerge Speaker of the House. Explaining what happened on the National Assembly leadership election day, Saraki said he smuggled himself into the chamber on the day the 8th Assembly was inaugurated when he became aware of an alleged plan to abduct and prevent him from standing for the Senate presidential election The Senate President also defended his absence from the International Conference Centre venue of a proposed meeting between President Buhari and APC lawmakers on the day of the election. He insisted that he did not receive any invitation for the meeting. Saraki said, “As regards the meeting, on the morning of the inauguration, I didn’t finish meeting until 4am of that day and I had got information that efforts would likely be made to make sure that I didn’t get access into the chambers. He said the plan before was that senators-elect should go to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel around 8:00am and 9:00am to proceed to the National Assembly. The Senate President said he was, however, advised against going to the chamber at the scheduled time as there were plans to stop him from being part of the day’s proceedings. Saraki said he got into the National Assembly Complex as early as 6:00am and stayed in a car in the car park from then till quarter to 10:00am. He noted that all through the period, there was no communication to him. “So, anybody who said they spoke to me to go the ICC was not true because I didn’t even know what was going on. All I was monitoring was how people were arriving at the complex. It was at quarter to 10:00am that I got information that the Clerk to the National Assembly had entered the chamber.” The APC, however, described Saraki’s non-invitation claim as a lie, saying all senators-elect were invited to the said meeting. Saraki, a two-term ex-Governor of Kwara State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said it was at that point that he got down from the “small car” in which he was hiding and entered the chamber. “Even when I was in the chambers, I didn’t know what had transpired earlier on. The only thing I observed was that it appeared that some of our senators were not in the chamber. But for the fact that my colleagues arrived in batches, I had the opinion that they were on their way. And by 10:00am, the programme started. “Before I knew it, my election had come and gone. Even, my people were worried. It was only when I got into the chambers that they were relieved,” Saraki added. The Senate President also dismissed his alleged pact with the PDP to elect Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President. Ekweremadu of the PDP, who occupied same position in the last Senate, had been re-elected as Saraki’s deputy in the Senate that has the APC as majority. The Senate President, however, insisted that it was the absence of the APC Senators from the chamber that caused the emergence of Ekweremadu as his deputy. He said, “Never in our wildest imagination did we envisage that some senators would not be present on the day of the inauguration. In my view, and in the view of some of those who worked closely with me, I worked hard for my election. I had direct contact with every single senator; one on one. Weeks to the election, I did not rely on anybody. I worked hard, both in our party, the APC, and out of it. “I approached every senator, I talked to them. We built confidence, not only in the APC, but, also, in the PDP. I talked to them. That was why I laugh when people said that I had a deal with Ekweremadu or I had a hand in the emergence of Ekweremadu.” Saraki stated that he did not need any deal to win the election, saying he had “penetrated everywhere.” Speaking further on the penetration, he said, “One of the meetings was held at Transcorp Hilton and Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ibrahim Gobir co-chaired it. Both the APC and the PDP members were present. “At that meeting, if you heard most of them there, the position they took was that ‘this is the Senate President they want. Across party lines, they said that they believe in me and that this is the Senate President that can lead us. There was no deal.” Saraki, who described Ekweremadu’s deputy Senate presidency as painful and unfortunate, maintained that it was caused by the absence of his APC colleagues. He recalled that the PDP senators had announced to the public that they were supporting him. He further said, “With regard to the deputy, when they told us that they had a candidate, we, too, told them we had a candidate for Deputy Senate President in the person of Senator Ali Ndume. “We never, in our imagination, thought they (other APC senators) would not turn up. By the time we got there, we were only 24 while the PDP was more than 40. “It is unfortunate that we have a PDP man as deputy Senate President. It is painful. It is painful for any APC member because when we went through the struggle. That was not what we signed for.” Saraki said it was unfair to put the blame on “one side” because it was a combination of errors and miscalculations that led having some senators at another place instead of being on the floor of the Senate on that day. “So, to suggest that it was out of a desperate act to emerge (as Senate President) is what I reject completely and those who followed the events would know that I didn’t have that deal to emerge,” he stated. Saraki also disagreed with insinuations that he went against the position of the party which had allegedly zoned the position of the Senate president to a particular region. “At no time was any decision taken by the party to zone the position to any particular zone,” he stated. Saraki also said he had had personal discussions with the Lawan and they had allegedly deliberated extensively on how to collectively move the Senate forward in the interest of the senators, the APC and members of the public. He said, “I also have an opportunity to sit down and discuss with Senator Ahmad Lawan as part of our reconciliation efforts. I am confident that this matter will soon fizzle out because we are making serious efforts.” Saraki further said serious arrangements were already ongoing to unite the various sides to the crisis, even as he hinted that he had reached out to the leaders of the party, President Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on how to collectively move the country forward. “Regards to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; as you all know, he is one of the leaders of the party. I have great respect for him. We have worked closely together before. Unfortunately my group did not agree with him on this issue. “However, we are both responsible and committed to the project of the party and Nigeria that we will overcome this and move forward. It is part of our plans, as part of the healing process, to meet with him and it will happen soon,” Saraki added. Saraki did not step down for Buhari – Presidency The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Saturday, said there was no truth in the claim by Saraki that he stepped down for President Buhari in the APC presidential race. Adesina, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the issue of stepping down did not arise because the party conducted a free and fair presidential primary which Buhari won. The presidential spokesman said all Nigerians know those who took part in the party primary. Adesina said, “There was no issue of stepping down during the presidential race in the APC. There was a presidential primary that was plain, transparent, free and fair. “We all know those who were involved in the primary; all Nigerians know those who participated in the APC presidential primary and President Buhari emerged the winner of that process.” When asked if Saraki had reached out to the President as he claimed, Adesina said, “The President has always maintained that the party is supreme. The party started a process which was truncated. “The President has always maintained that those who truncated or aborted the process were the ones who precipitated crisis. “The President had said in earlier statements that he would work with anybody who emerged the Senate President, but then, that did not include those who will subvert (the process).” ‘Saraki snubbed Buhari to emerge Senate president’ A leader of the APC, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, said Saraki was only trying to be clever by half. The leader of the party, who spoke in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, said Saraki had boxed himself into a corner. “Saraki is simply trying to be clever by half. He is in a fix and he is trying to justify his illegal actions,” the source said. He added, “Saraki is bound by the nation’s constitution to read the party’s list without any amendment. If the PDP had sent him their own list of principal officers, will he tamper with it or won’t the PDP send their own list?” Insisting that the Senate President lied about not being invited to the ICC meeting, the reliable party source said Saraki was invited. The source said, “He is lying if he said he was not invited to the ICC meeting. All National Assembly members-elect were invited via an SMS. “He deliberately snubbed the President because he had already struck a deal with the PDP to actualise his inordinate ambition in defiance of his party’s position. Cc:lalasticlala Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-dropped-my-presidential-ambition-for-buhari-saraki/ 7 Likes 4 Shares
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Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by HungerBAD: 2:20am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Like anybody would have voted for him if he had won the APC Primaries. 143 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 2:24am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Mr. Sara wait till 2023 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by ORACLE1975(m): 2:26am On Jun 28, 2015 |
This interview by Saraki is a very good sign that the
man is feeling the heat and with time he will understand
that his greed and selfishness truncating what Nigerians
desires will not lead him anywhere, saraki is a sinking
man and he his only trying to hold on to anything to
survive but I can not see this man surviving, he might
hold this position for a while but with the response of
Buhari spokes man it is evidencely clear saraki is on his
own. 116 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by olapluto(m): 2:27am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Saraki should have kept a low profile after subverting the process in becoming senate president. He will soon have no where to run. Those who are supporting him in APC caucus will soon desert him. 53 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by IanDiamonds: 2:58am On Jun 28, 2015 |
If Bukola Saraki was really gunning for presidency, I doubt if he would have garnered up to 4million votes.... 90 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by seunmsg(m): 3:10am On Jun 28, 2015 |
So Saraki is finally feeling the heat? I taught he would continue to grandstand and call the bluff of the party. If he had simply accepted the party decision on the principal officers, all this crisis would have been over. As it is now, even the president has seen that he is an over ambitious guy who can't be trusted. No matter the reconciliation that may be done going forward, he will always have to continuously watch his back against impeachment. The senate is too divided for him to preside over comfortably for the next four years. It will be a miracle if he survives as the senate president for 4 years. 75 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by dahaz(m): 3:18am On Jun 28, 2015 |
saraki is a good politician with good leadership qualities no doubt. but he is very desperate and selfish 35 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 3:32am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Now the saraki guy is confused. Now who plays politics better. Pdp is a useless party and nothing good will ever come out from there. Not again 37 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Welrez(m): 3:35am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Saraki, by being the kink in the APC, has achieved some measure of independence for the first arm of govt. I don't know why those who supported the antics of Tambuwal and criticised PDP highhandedness in imposing candidates on the house are finding it hard to swallow this. 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by dayo23(f): 3:42am On Jun 28, 2015 |
! Saraki never know anything yet, he thought the quietness of Buhari and his pal Tinubu means they are dullard, he doesn't understand a dime thing. A powerful Tornedo is coming to blow him out, Buhari can never be toyed with, a real Fulani and not the yoruba fake fulani. Time will tell if what I said is right or wrong. Saraki traitor....watchout!!! 57 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 3:56am On Jun 28, 2015 |
LOL@step down for BUHARI, u for win before ni?. Sha he still remain an APC man so I don't have much to say for now. 16 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by NgeneUkwenu(f): 4:00am On Jun 28, 2015 |
This man called Saraki just killed himself politically! Now Buhari has publicly distanced himself from the traitor. He would be officially dealt with! Useless man! 68 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by ope2711(m): 4:05am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Saraki the traitor, he should always watch his back because PDP is an action party but APC, a reaction party. 25 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 4:09am On Jun 28, 2015 |
I don't see myself voting you even if you contest 20 times 49 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by NgeneUkwenu(f): 4:15am On Jun 28, 2015 |
The President had said in earlier statements that he Saraki, should know by the above statement, the game has just started! He will forever regret his actions! 33 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by aresa: 4:15am On Jun 28, 2015 |
HungerBAD: The deceitful, dishonest and crooked man sure knows how to overstate his importance. Power kills really.. 42 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by double0seven(m): 4:19am On Jun 28, 2015 |
stepped down for Buhari? How? when? something is wrong with this guy's head then all his lies. why doesn't he just keep shut. he must think that people are fools to think that anyone will buy into all these his lies. 40 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by ABIOLAXYZ(m): 4:42am On Jun 28, 2015 |
POLITICS IS PURELY PROBABILITY 1 Like |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by kheart(m): 5:01am On Jun 28, 2015 |
U can only become president of kwara and not naija. U re too deserate. 41 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by oluwafemi113(m): 5:02am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Saraki end is near A vain attempt 20 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by kromoto: 5:08am On Jun 28, 2015 |
This man should just keep quiet, since Nigerians forget things too easily he will regain some acceptance after being off the radar for some time. He now seem to have taken the position Amaechi once occupied. 4 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by ziccoit: 5:12am On Jun 28, 2015 |
This man is now feeling too big for his very small shoe. What and how does he think of himself? Rubbish. Sarakis are known to be traitors. It runs in their blood. This one is going to be cut to size very soon. 32 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Haywhymido(m): 5:16am On Jun 28, 2015 |
U dropped ur political ambition? Like u wld av won abi. E be lyk sey u no knw ur lvl 4 nigeria politics. Truth be told u can never be a president of nigeria except if we find ourselves in mr clueless situation again which i dont pray we do 23 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 5:31am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Like Seriously, who dash monkey banana... in a free and fair Contest, this judas Cannot Stand Fashola talk more of General Buhari... Nonsense 37 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by simp: 5:32am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Useless traitor 12 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by brixton: 5:32am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Enough of u guys' stories, APC should start working. 12 Likes 2 Shares
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Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by mistabiola: 5:32am On Jun 28, 2015 |
More revelation to come. |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Rilwayne001: 5:34am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Useless money-grubber. Thunder will eventually fire you; I guaratee it. 23 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by luvmijeje(f): 5:36am On Jun 28, 2015 |
The President had said in earlier statements that he Chaiiii he has been thrown under the truck. 19 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Azedplus(m): 5:40am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Who will vote you as a President ... You are only being made popular by this action but sincerely you have lost your CREDIBILITY which is now an important electoral factor on who becomes our President. Same way its difficult for Atiku despite being so strong....Watch out in 2019 except you buy our heart with performance. As rebellious as Saraki has now been added to the common 24 Likes |
Re: I Dropped My Presidential Ambition For Buhari — Saraki by Nobody: 5:40am On Jun 28, 2015 |
Story for the gods. If he had contested,he can't win his ward,he knows. He should stop forming "the good Samaritan". 18 Likes |
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