The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) men attached to former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, and the Chairman of the “New PDP”, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje have been detached barely 48 hours after Senator appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pertaining to issues related to causes of the collapse of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN).
It could be recalled that SGBN was founded by his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki.
Withdrawal of security aides of those who seem to be the clog in the wheel of progress of the president Goodluck Jonathan’s undeclared ambition for 2015 reelection into the topmost seat of power in the country has now become the order of the day.
Besides, sources said that there has been to reason given to the withdrawal of the seven guards and escorts attached to senator Saraki’s residences in Ilorin and Abuja.
Two of them are stationed at his residence in Abuja; three at his Ilorin residence while the other two are said to always be on standby.
The withdrawal of Saraki’s security aides is being seen by observers as a plot to punish the ‘rebels’ in PDP.
On the interrogation of the former governor, a source from the EFCC disclosed: “We are expecting Saraki for a follow-up quizzing because former top management staff of SGBN, including the ex-MD of the bank, Robert Mbonu. As a key player in the bank, he needs to fill in more gaps in our ongoing investigation. He has more questions to answer.”
According to a source who pleaded anonymity, all the details were withdrawn yesterday allegedly on ‘orders from above’ and without any notice to the senator.
There were strong indications that the detachment of the security details is a consequence of intelligence reports that indicted Senator Saraki a major cohort in the creation of the “New PDP” which emerged last week.
An aide of the senator, who did not want to be attributed to the information revealed thus: “The seven policemen attached to my boss have been withdrawn. As I am talking, he has no one protecting him other than God. The policemen were withdrawn abruptly and simultaneously in Abuja and Ilorin on Saturday. No reason was given by any Police command or the Inspector-General of Police. When necessary, we will issue official statement. But it is obvious that there is a plot to expose Oga to danger.”
It was also garnered that the National Chairman of the New PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje who currently risks his position as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had also been deprived of the security guards in his Abuja and Ilorin homes.
“It is certainly a tit-for-tat policy; there is no way Baraje can remain in a government he has lost confidence in. I think he should have resigned the NRC job by now”, a different source added.
It was also learnt that security reports indicated that Saraki is one of the strong pillars behind Governor Rotimi Amaechi, which led to the governor’s re-election in May as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
Whereas it was also noted that Saraki has maintained to President Goodluck Jonathan during a recent private talk that Amaechi is the authentic chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).
This latest drama series in the PDP is being brought to light barely a week after a security aide of the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Ameachi was also withdrawn when the rivers state police command claimed it was an order form the top.
And it is pertinent to note that the two personalities are fully involved in the Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, also known as the “New PDP”.