ABUJA, JUNE 5, 2018 – The Nigerian police has recanted on its earlier invitation to the President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, following reports that his name was mentioned in a robbery case.
Senator Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State was asked by the police authority to report to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Abuja for questioning by investigators.
But Saraki, in a statement issued by his media aide on Sunday night denied receipt of any formal invitation from the police, adding that he would make himself available when he got same.
On Monday morning, the Chairman of the National Assembly disclosed on his official twitter handle, @bukolasaraki, stated that he had sent his Aides De Camp (ADC), Supretendent of Police (SP), Usman Dunguza to represent him at SARS.
However, a few hours later, Saraki twitted again to the effects that the police had sent a formal letter to him, but with a different mandate.
The SP, on his @bukolasaraki twitter handle said he had been required to respond to the allegations against him in writing, which is expected in 48 hours.
“Following my earlier twitt, I have received the letter from @PoliceNG. They are no longer asking me to appear at any station, but to respond in writing to the allegations within 48hours – which I planned to do,” Saraki twitted.
The latest impasse between the police and the Senate President is coming at a time when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is struggling to keep the human political assets it inherited from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), preparatory to the 2015 general election.
Members of the nPDP-led by Saraki have been having protracted issues with other interests within the APC and have reportedly made demands for reconciliation which include dropping of all existing charges and cases against Saraki.
They also demanded for assurance that members of the group holding leadership positions in the National Assembly must be allowed to return on APC tickets and also as presiding officers.
