Speculations that the meeting held between the All Progressives Congress high ranking public office holders and its senior officials at the Presidential Villa yesterday is aimed at giving Senate President Bukola Saraki a soft landing in respect to his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT have been dismissed.
However, it was learnt that it was a scheduled meeting of the G19 meant as an interface with the Presidency, governors, National Assembly leadership and other arms of government controlled by the party.
The presence of the party leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, and Senator Saraki together, had sparked insinuations that trial of the Senate President at the CCT had necessitated the meeting.
The meeting which was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was said to have been presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari but for his absence in the country.
Party chieftains who were present at the meeting included: Tinubu; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s National Chairman; Segun Oni, National Vice Chairman, South-West; Senate President Saraki; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun and Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.
Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; Imo State deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere; a former interim chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, among others.
The meeting had taken place behind closed doors just as it commenced at about 11 a.m. in one of the conference rooms in the office of the Vice President.
The meeting which lasted four hours ended at about 3 p.m.
Attempt by reporters to seek their comments having rose from the meeting proved abortive as refused to entertain questions just as they even beam with smiles.
However, a source speaking on condition of anonymity, rebuffed insinuations that the meeting was called to discuss Saraki’s imminent trial, saying the agenda of the meeting was devoted to current political developments in the country, state and funding of the party.