Mr. Saraki's spokesperson said that politicians were assuming that the senate president’s visits to Mr. Buhari were linked to the latter’s request for a $29.9b foreign loan.
Senate President Bukola Saraki on Thursday advised his political colleagues and the media to stop spreading rumors about his recent visits to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr. Saraki disclosed this in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu. He said that politicians were assuming that the senate president’s visits to Mr. Buhari were linked to the latter’s request for a $29.9b foreign loan.
“In all his recent meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the issue of the proposed loan never came up for discussion,” Mr. Olaniyonu said, adding that statements alleging such were “unfortunate.”
“Like I once told the media, these politically-motivated commentaries are trivializing a serious national issue. They are presenting it as if it is a personal matter that can be decided at meetings between Saraki and Buhari,” he said.
The statement went on to quote Mr. Saraki as saying, “The National Assembly, which I head as Senate President, has taken a position on the [foreign loan] issue as required of it by the laws of the land and legislative conventions.”
He added that the National Assembly would make a decision on the loan based on the interests of the people, irrespective of party affiliations.
The statement also explained that it is normal for the senate president and president to meet to discuss pressing national issues.
“A visit to the Presidency by the Senate President is a normal thing because we need to consult, discuss, exchange ideas and make suggestions to each other from time to time.
“More importantly, at this time, when the nation is facing economic crisis, there is need for frequent engagements by the Presidency and the National Assembly.”
