Senator Bukola Saraki at the weekend in Ilorin revealed that he was being persecuted alongside Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi by the powers that be, because of their fight for equity, fairness and justice.

Addressing a cross section of All Progressives Congress(APC) members during the party's monthly meeting held at his Iloffa road residence in the state capital, the lawmaker told his supporters that they were lured with substantial amount of money not to leave the Peoples Democratic Party at the height of the crisis which engulfed the party .

Recounting their ordeal in the hands of the powers that be, the senator said they stood their ground and refused to back out since they were pursuing the cause of the commoners.

His words:"when they were persecuting us in the PDP for saying the truth, we said no, we are not going to relent because we knew it was the path of truth that we were toeing.

"We knew we are on the right path and when I have someone like you people that always assist with prayers, no amount of victimisation can stop us. You see that decision I took was not for selfish ambition, it was because of you my people and we will continue to fight your cause.

"That is how we were brought up, to assist downtrodden and fight the cause of commoners. That is what our late father lived and died for. He was the architect and advocate of peace and a great philanthropist. And we will not derail from doing what we inherited from him".

He also called on those that remained in the PDP fold to join the APC, saying that the party’s door was widely open for any of them whenever they were ready to join the party.

The lawmaker also pointed out that they were being vindicated with the latest development of cutting the Federal Allocation due to states of the federation by the present administration, stressing that it was part of what they were fighting for.

"Everyone is lamenting the situation even some PDP governors are regretting, but they told us they cannot say that in the public. They told us that they found it difficult to pay salaries of their workers not to talk of embarking on other developmental projects".

He also corroborated the point of the state governor on the issue of Federal presence in the state just as he said Goodluck-led administration had done nothing in Kwara state to deserve Kwarans votes.

"I challenge them to point to any of their projects here in Kwara. During my tenure, we rehabilitated Chikanda/ Kosubosu Federal road and the late President Yar’Adua approved the repayment before his demise. But when President Goodluck assumed office, he refuses to pay us", the lawmaker lamented.

He further explained that the All Progressives Congress remained the only party that could rescue the country from its verge of collapse.

He appealed to his supporters not to allow themselves to be deceived by anyone, saying that the PDP did not have anything to offer them with the set of people now remaining in the party.

He also explained to them why he endorsed the governor for the second term, saying that it was not unconnected with the governor's track record achievements. Senator Saraki also cautioned his supporters that were nursing the ambition of vying for any elective office not to be desperate about it.

His words: I do not ask anyone not to contest but there should be moderation about that, you should not be too desperate to the extent of pulling one another down by employing blackmail and all sorts.

"You should understand that we have a process that we follow and whoever that emerged as the party flag bearer at the end, we should support them and believe that their victory is a victory for all".

He also cautioned party elders against gratification and preferential treatment in the course of nominating the party flag bearers, saying that equity, fairness and justice should be their watchword.

The State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed spoke about the government's policies and programmes, saying that the state would witness aggressive development in his second coming.

He also expressed gratitude to the party faithful for their support and patience, promising them deliverance of democratic dividends.