According to a report by Punch Newspaper, following the Supreme Court judgment on his trial at the CCT, the Senate President had began moves to seek favours from the President and Tinubu. Though the moves by Saraki are said to have been indirect, he is rumoured to be desperate to reach a favourable agreement with the top political figures before the hearing of his 13 counts charge of false asset declaration resume on March 10, 2016.
To reach the President, Saraki had allegedly sent a delegation led by Senate leader, Ali Ndume and Dino Melaye to meet with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajowhile the President was on a six days vacation. Though Ndume denied discussing Saraki’s trial with the Vice President when he met with him, it is believed that the Vice President had clearly stated that the president would not mix personal tribulations with the national issues.
While the Senate President keeps seeking other means to reach out to the President for favours, he’s reported to have sent out emissaries to Tinubu, who sources say have cut all ties with the Kwara State ex-Governor. Tinubu, sources disclosed, has decided to wash his hands and will not say a word again regarding Saraki, thus, all efforts to reach him has been blocked.
He has been visiting other African countries preaching the gospel of Democracy and become unavailable for the delegates led by opinion leaders and clerics that Saraki had sent to his Bourdillon home in Ikoyi, Lagos. The Supreme Court had on February 5, 2016 ruled that Saraki’s trial should continue at the CCT. The apex court had affirmed the propriety of Saraki’s trial at the CCT on 13 counts of false asset declaration.
Saraki and Tinubu fell out in June 2016 when he defied the directive of the APC and became the Senate President under controversial circumstances. Meanwhile, the Senate President’s media aide had reiterated that Saraki meets with the President when national issues arise, thus, it would be wrong to say he’s seeking favours or contact with him.
Reports further pointed to the fact that what might have necessitated Saraki’s moves to seek favours from Tinubu and Buhari might not be unconnected to the renewed energy by the Ahmed Lawan faction to force Saraki to resign.