The rumour has been steadily growing in recent times, but it seems to have reached a height now and it is being reported that the PDP is running on overdrive to tempt Senate President Bukola Saraki over to their side.
It has been reported by the Nation that if he is to cross sides, he will be given power over PDP’s structure in Kwara, a governorship ticket to a candidate of his choice, the Senate Presidency, Presidential primaries and in the case of a defeat, a ministerial ticket.
The Nation also reports that the PDP has given its Contact and Integration Committee a two-week extension to wrap up negotiations with the Senate President.
According to a source for the Nation, PDP would love Saraki as a Presidential candidate, but the Senate President seems to be enjoying his current role which grants him a lot of power with less scrutiny.
He has also allegedly been promised power over PDP’s structure in Kwara and also dibs on who gets to be Governor of Kwara state,
“Saraki will determine the fate of his godson, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who has been pleading for the senatorial slot of Kwara South District.
“Ahmed can either be a Senator or a minister since the present ministerial position given to Kwara State resides in Kwara South District.” The source said.
The Source added: “What will become of our former national chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje is left to Saraki to decide. Although Baraje, a sharp, patient and visionary ex-principal with depth in party politics, nurses gubernatorial ambition, but for historical reasons, the Ilorin Emirate Council is not disposed to him.
“His gubernatorial ambition is limited and it is left to Saraki not to make him a complete loser again after he led the New PDP (nPDP) revolt in 2014.”