Saraki denies joining opposition coalition
By Tunde Opalana
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has distanced himself from planning to join other political gladiators in the proposed opposition coalition set to tackle President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
A statement by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu described the rumoured move as fabrications and wishful thinking of those peddling the rumour.
The statement blamed concerted rumour on Saraki’s political detractors in Kwara State.
“It should be noted that the reporter of the story quoted unnamed sources and faceless individuals who he claimed attended a meeting with Dr. Saraki. He also sought the opinions of people who he did not tell the detail of the story he wanted them to respond to.
“We believe his story came from his misconception of why Dr Saraki has refused to associate with or comment on the ongoing efforts by some politicians to form a coalition. It is equally obvious that he simply decided to package as a news story the permutations, projections, and calculations of some individuals who believe they could proffer a reason for the quiet stance of the former Senate President.
“Anybody who has associated closely with Dr. Saraki will know that either in the public or private space, he does not speak carelessly and in a manner that can expose him to ridicule.
“He is always a careful and frugal speaker. The views expressed in that news story and the concocted graphic design in circulation do not represent the position of Dr. Saraki. He has nothing to do with them.
“We, therefore, call on well-meaning Nigerians to disregard and ignore the false claims contained either in the story published by the newspaper or the warped version of it being circulated online by elements of the opposition in Kwara State,” the statement read.
