Count Saraki Out Of Merger Talks For Now – Media Office

By Ayodele Oni

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that he has not taken a position on the ongoing merger of political parties ahead of the next general elections.

Prominent political figures have been holding meetings on possible merger of opposition parties with a view to dislodg the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Online report had quoted Saraki, a former Governor of Kwara State as saying he is not interested in the formation of any mega party to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

A statement by Saraki’s Media Office dismissed the content of a story linked to the former Senate President which he, reportedly, expressed during a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Ilorin.

The Saraki Media Office urged political associates of Saraki and members of the public to disregard the fabrications and jaundiced views contained in the story.

The statement, signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, also condemned the spin and manipulations that the opposition in Kwara State concocted from the story by manufacturing quotes alongside a graphic design of their own to create a fresh falsehood for circulation online.

“We believe the story came from misconception of why Dr. Saraki has refused to associate with or comment on the ongoing efforts by some politicians to form a coalition.

“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  in the story or the warped version of it being circulated online by elements of the opposition in Kwara State.”