Saraki in secret meeting with Osinbajo

Senate President Bukola Saraki has held a secret meeting with Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The Nation reports that the meeting was based “some developments that occurred in the Senate during the week”, including the suspension of consideration of further nominations by the Executive in protest against the retention of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the consequent threats of impeachment by some Senators.

“The Senate President met with the Acting President. He actually came alone and without the paraphernalia of his office to underscore his commitment to rapprochement between the Executive and the National Assembly.

“Saraki took time to explain a few things to the Acting President, but the talks bordered on the clarification of a few misgivings, especially the rumour that he was planning to become the Acting President or instigating the Senate against the Presidency.

“He also took time to explain why the Senate wanted its resolutions respected in line with the principle of separation of powers.

“Above all, the session was actually frank,” a source said.

The meeting between Osinbajo and Saraki, was preceded by a visit of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to the Acting President on Wednesday night.

Before his visit to Osinbajo, Odigie-Oyegun was said to have reached out to the Senate leadership, urging Senators not to plunge Nigeria into chaos.

A government source said: “The APC National chairman came at a time the Acting President was about to have a meeting with a select group of government officials. He was asked to join the meeting, which bordered on the battle line drawn by the Senate.

“During the session, the APC National chairman said he had interacted with Saraki and advised the Senate leadership and Senators to ‘lie low’ and avoid anything capable that was capable of plunging the nation into crisis.

“Oyegun also said the APC could not understand why the party in power would be in opposition against itself.

“No one can say if Oyegun’s intervention was responsible for the visit of the Senate President to Osinbajo.”