Despite the spirited moves aimed at stalling the defection of Senate President Bukola Saraki and members of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) indications have emerged that the President of the Senate is set to launch his presidential aspiration for the 2019 race.
Sources in the polity said that since Saraki is of the view that the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already been ceded to President Muhammadu Buhari, the next available sport is the coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) which will be fielding candidates on the ticket of the PDP.
It was confirmed that notwithstanding the offers that might be placed on the table by President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the APC at a meeting to be held in the presidential Villa later on Sunday, the R-APC has concluded on the need for defection.
Sources said that by listening to the President and members of the APC, the R-APC leaders were only showing courtesy to the office of the President.
“We don’t want to be seen as greedy lots and that is why all the juicy offers cannot sway the defection plans,” said a leader of the R-APC who claimed not to be named.
A source further said that the R-APC was aware that the leaders of the APC would come after its members with carrot and stick and that the aggrieved members were prepared for the worst case scenario.
“We have taken the legal option early enough to preserve our members and we are taking steps to ensure all needed agreements are signed with a coalition of opposition parties. It is a meticulous plan to rescue Nigeria,” another R-APC leader said.
Sources said that Saraki was already perfecting the launch of his presidential bid with some whistle stop trips around different states of the federation since his victory at the Supreme Court.
It was also gathered that Saraki might have secured some international backing for his ambition, following his recent invitation to the United States Congress, where he was said to have held parliamentary talks as well as political discussions.
“I can assure you that notwithstanding the outcome of the meetings being orchestrated by leaders of the APC and the juicy offers being placed on the table, the Senate President and a number of bigwigs in the R-APC have signed out of the ruling party. It is just a matter of days.
“For them, the issue is not really about personal gains but good governance that would propel Nigeria to greatness in the comity of nations,” the source said, adding that the APC has failed to show the desired leadership in the last three years.
