Dino Melaye
The group backing Dr. Bukola Saraki for Senate President, The Like Minded, disagreed with the Unity Forum.
Addressing reporters, the group's Spokesperson, Dino Melaye, said President Muhammadu Buhari in his constitutional duty had sent a proclamation that the inauguration at the National Assembly was to begin at 10a.m. on June 9. He wondered how the president could have called a meeting for the same time.
He said there was no official communication that the President wanted to have a meeting with the members.
“If Mr. President wants to meet legislators, the Defence House, the Banquet Halls are there, so why at the ICC.
“He didn’t attend to anyone in ICC.
“The President has consistently said he does not have a hand in the election and is ready to work with whoever emerges as the Senate President but some people have decided to drop the name of Mr. President.”
In addition, he said a text message was sent on Monday for the lawmakers to meet with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the same venue and no one showed up.
“We waited for the VP for hours but he didn’t show up.
“Having seen that the previous day, you get another text at 7:30am in the morning to meet with the President at the same venue. Do you think anyone who is rational will go for that meeting?
“I want to believe that it was a calculated attempt,” Melaye stated.