$29.9bn Loan Request: Saraki Says His Refusal Not Personal

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has advised politicians and the media to stop peddling speculations about his recent visits to the Presidency.

A statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Thursday, said that politicians were linking Saraki’s visits to President Muhammadu Buhari’s yet-to-be-approved 29.9 billion dollars foreign loan request.

“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,” the statement said.

The media aid described the comments by politicians on the loan issue without factual basis as 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 Saraki and Buhari can decide at meetings.

“The National Assembly which I head as Senate President has taken a position on the issue as required of it by the laws of the land and legislative conventions,’’ the statement quoted Saraki as saying.

Visit to presidency is normal

The statement also reads that the present National Assembly will make decisions based on national interest and will always act in the interest the people.

“A visit to the Presidency by the Senate President is a normal thing. This is 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,’’ reads part of the statement.

Saraki also urged Nigerian politicians to stop playing to the gallery or drawing political capital from all issues.

The statement similarly urged the media to exercise restraint in their reportage and commentaries in order to properly serve Nigerians.