Date: 2018-07-19

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, met Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara state, with National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and other high ranking members of the opposition party in what was largely seen as a strategic political discussion over his possible return to the PDP.

Others who attended the meeting included former Jigawa state governor and PDP presidential hopeful, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, Sokoto state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwa, his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Ortom, governor Abdulfattah Ahmed of Kwara as well as Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.

The meeting came after some of the dignitaries had taken part in the eighth day Fidau prayers for Alhaja Aishat, mother of Alhaji Kawu Baraje,the former National Leader of the now defunct NewPDP.

Those who did not feature at the Fidau but were present at the meeting included Tambuwal, Lamido, and Secondus.

For Secondus, yesterday's meeting was his second time of coming to Ilorin within five days as he had earlier visited the Baraje family house on Saturday where he warned against rigging in the now concluded gubernatorial poll in Ekiti state.

Despites frantic efforts by journalists,no one was ready to shed light on the outcome of yesterday's meeting which took place at Saraki's official home in Ilorin.

The meeting lasted about one hour before the dignitaries departed to Abuja at about 4.05pm.

Contacted over the meeting, the spokesman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)Mr Kola Ologbodiyan said the meeting cannot be said to be a conveyed meeting, and described it rather as a gathering of like minds.

"It was a meeting of the like minds which was also basically about the interest of the betterment of the county"He quipped

Saraki's media aides also declined to speak on the issue other than to dismiss speculations about its purpose as they insisted it was merely for the fidau prayers.

Saraki had on his return to Ilorin on Tuesday asked that he not be rushed on the issue of his speculated plan to defect from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Earlier in the day Governor Ortom of Benue State had told newsmen that his meeting the national leadership of the APC slated for yesterday will determine his next political move.

He however explained that the final decision lies on his people who are more important to him.

Ortom disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen shortly after his visit to the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

He said the Benue State APC had issued him red card and hoped that the national leadership of the party could reverse the decision, pointing out that the national leadership of the party is the larger body capable of upturning the decision of the state chapter.