Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, responded to a statement said to have been issued by the National Leader of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, where he (Tinubu), while reacting to a recent media report by a national daily (not Vanguard), accused Saraki of crass disloyalty to party discipline, giving the manner he captured his current seat as Senate President.

But in a swift reaction, Saraki who took to his Facebook page, said he had seen the statement said to be issued by Senator Tinubu over the published story, but have decided not to join issues with him.

Recall that on Saturday, the national daily had in its publication alleged that the former Lagos State governor, is reportedly angered that the ministerial candidates he sent to President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t scale through.

The daily reported that Tinubu who was visibly angry is said to have conspired with Senator Bukola Saraki to thwart the President Buhari-led administration, adding that for this reason, the President had ordered the security agencies to place Tinubu under security surveillance.

While reacting on Sunday, in a statement signed by his chief of staff and special media adviser, Sunday Dare, Tinubu, lambasted the daily, saying it took a sad excursion from journalism into the realm of gothic tales and political slander.

Among other things, Tinubu affirmed that he “remains glued to the party decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline. It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.”

Read Tinubu’s full statement here

SARAKI’S REACTION

Reacting however, Saraki said: “I saw the statement said to be issued by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a story published by a national daily. I have decided not to join issues with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, I know that most Nigerians are aware that there has been no meeting or communication between me and Asiwaju Tinubu since I was elected Senate President.

“Therefore, I do not see any basis for a newspaper to report that we are both plotting to oppose the President. I recognise Tinubu as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed so much to the victory of the party in the last election. Some other people also contributed and I believe the collective efforts made it possible for the first time in the history of our party for an opposition party to win the general elections.

“Let me state clearly that I remain a committed member of the APC and will do all in my power to ensure the party fulfill its promises to bring positive changes into the country. Since my election as Senate President, my focus and efforts have been devoted to doing the job that I was elected to do by my constituents and my colleagues in the Senate. Twice, my colleagues have confirmed their support for me as the primus inter pares in the Senate.

“As I said in my speech when we resumed from our recess late September and in Ikenne yesterday (Saturday) the screening of ministerial nominees will be handled by me and my colleagues with all sense of responsibility and in adherence to the provision of the constitution.

“We will be fair to all and be guided by the interest of Nigeria. The screening will be devoid of sentiment and it is not an opportunity for anybody to settle scores. We are equally eager for us to make a positive difference in our polity and Nigerians will be able to judge us whether we acted in their best interest or not,” added the Senate President.