President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has explained why he was absent from series of meetings by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress. His reasons were stated in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Thursday night. It was entitled, ‘Much Ado About Saraki’s Absence from APC Meetings.’
Olaniyonu stated “clearly” that Saraki was not one “to sneak into a room via the window.” He said Saraki would rather “enter through the front door so that his entry is well noted and acknowledged.” He said Nigerians knew that when the Senate President joined the APC, he did not sneak in. “Therefore, no one should attach any mischievous or inaccurate interpretation to his absence at the two meetings held at times when his whereabouts were a matter of public record,” he added.
Saraki’s aide further said, “Sponsors of misinformation as to why Saraki was not present at the caucus and NEC meetings should be clear that there is no special reason behind the absence. The Senate President is not a coward. When he left the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014, he was bold enough to inform the then President (David Mark) of his decision and left openly with his supporters. He therefore has no reason to be sneaking or hiding now.
“It is incontrovertible that he is a leader, major stakeholder and founding father of the APC. Nothing has changed with regard to all these. I hope this clarification will halt the speculations, misinformation, misinterpretation, mischief and Fake News about the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of his absence at the APC National Caucus and NEC meetings.”
