Saraki pays Obasanjo visit, says there is crisis in APC

Firstclass newsline learnt that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki,
on Friday admitted that there was crisis within the All Progressives
Congress and that the leadership of the party was already addressing
it.
He declared this to journalists after emerging from a two-hour
closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his
Abeokuta, Ogun State Hilltop residence on Friday.
Saraki arrived Obasanjo's residence at 9.10am, in company with
Senators Ahmed Yerima, Andy Uba, Tayo Alasoadura and Danjuma Goje.
Others in his entourage were a former National Secretary of the
Peoples Democratic Party and a former governor of Osun State, Prince
Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a former acting National Chairman of the PDP,
Kawu Baraje.
All were former PDP members who defected to the APC.
Emerging from Obasanjo's inner chamber two hours after, at exactly
11.10am, Saraki admitted that his emergence as Senate President and
that of his counterpart at the lower chamber, Yakubu Dogara, caused
crisis within the APC.
He, however, expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved.
He said, "As you can see, things are moving smoothly. Definitely, be
rest assured that all that (the crisis) would be put behind us very
shortly. We are very confident about that."
Saraki also expressed his support for a downward review of the
salaries and allowances of legislators to reflect the current economic
realities in the country.
He said, "Well, I think that is already in progress. If you remember,
last time, it was about N150bn and it is coming down to N120bn. I
think the situation in the country deserves that every public servant
must make sacrifices and whatever sacrifice that is necessary, we will
do it. And that is being done.
"So, rest assured that we are sensitive. We are aware of the situation
in the country and if we are going to lead, we must lead by example
and we would do that."
Speaking about the team's visit to Obasanjo, Saraki said they had come
to pay homage and seek the former President's advice and blessings
because of his immense value to the country.
He said, "I'm here with some of my colleagues. We are here to pay our
homage to him, seek his advice, get his blessings and also consult
(with him).
"We all know President Obasanjo's value to this country and we are
here to tap from his wisdom, knowledge and experience."
Meanwhile, Saraki also promised Nigerians that he would not disappoint
them as the President of the 8th Senate.
He made this known when he was received by a crowd at the Ilorin
International Airport during his first homecoming after emerging as
the Senate President. Dignitaries that received him at the airport
included the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and the
state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Ishola
Balogun.
The Senate President was later driven from the airport in a motorcade
to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,
where he paid homage to the monarch.
Speaking at the Emir's palace, he said there was "no word big enough
to thank them (senators) because they have fought a hard battle."
Firstclassnewsline.net