The Boss Newspapers has maintained that it stands by its initial report that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 presidential race.
The Boss Newspapers, published by media mogul and former presidential candidate, Chief Dele Momodu reported exclusively on Saturday that Saraki has joined the presidential race.
The report which has not been denied by the Senate President took a new twist on Monday as his Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu reportedly told Daily Independent that the report was false.
According to Olaniyonu, the fact that no print media reported the news of his principal joining the 2019 presidential race simply confirms that it was not true – a development which led to some online news platforms reporting that Saraki has denied that he is not running for president in 2019.
Momodu however responded to one of such reports on Monday, tweeting; “SP Saraki has not denied anything through his spokesman. When did the so-called mainstream media become the only source of breaking news and why did he not issue a rebuttal for what went viral since Saturday. We stand TOTALLY by our exclusive story…”
SP Saraki has not denied anything through his spokesman. When did the so-called mainstream media become the only source of breaking news and why did he not issue a rebuttal for what went viral since Saturday. We stand TOTALLY by our exclusive story… https://t.co/gFncxlriUM https://t.co/qFBkzAvSRx
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) April 2, 2018
At OVATION MEDIA GROUP we have access to newsmakers… We practise responsible journalism… pic.twitter.com/CXTIX51Yaw
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) April 3, 2018
On Tuesday, online newspaper Premium Times published a report claiming that Saraki had denied running for president. Again, they cited Olaniyonu’s interview with Daily Independent.
Momodu then fired back at Premium Times, tweeting; “My dear @PremiumTimesng please, do not join this charade & attempts to bully Saraki or anyone eyeing the Presidency; Alh. Olaniyonu would have issued a formal denial if anything but he knows he has never been at any of my various interactions with his boss…”
My dear @PremiumTimesng please, do not join this charade & attempts to bully Saraki or anyone eyeing the Presidency; Alh. Olaniyonu would have issued a formal denial if anything but he knows he has never been at any of my various interactions with his boss… https://t.co/elUbXZ117U
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) April 3, 2018
Investigations by SIGNAL however reveal that none of Saraki’s close aides was privy to the conversation between their principal and the veteran journalist Dele Momodu, clearly explaining why the news may have taken some of the Senate President’s aides by surprise and the subsequent denial of the report by Olaniyonu.
Curiously, Saraki who is usually very vocal and active on social media has refrained from debunking or disclaiming the news of his reported presidential aspiration, lending further credence to the veracity of the report. As traditionally expected, his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu has equally not issued any official statement denying the report.
Momodu who broke the news of Saraki’s presidential aspiration through The Boss Newspapers is renowned as one of Nigeria’s best in the practice of journalism having spent nearly 40 decades in the profession. One of Nigeria’s most influential newspaper columnists, top contenders in the 2019 presidential race have severally reached out to Momodu to exclusively discuss details of their presidential aspiration, including former Cross River State Governor, Dr. Donald Duke, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar among others.
A close aide to the Senate President who did not want to be named told SIGNAL on Tuesday; “Why is anyone trying to make it look like it is a sin for Saraki to have an aspiration to run for president in 2019? Is he not eminently qualified? As far as I am concerned, it is his right to run.”
Meanwhile, news of Saraki’s aspiration to run for President in 2019 has been greeted with colourful commentary on the social media.
Below are some tweets;
Saraki joins 2019 presidential race. Interesting.
— Nedu Ekeke #BBOG (@Nedunaija) March 31, 2018
Saraki/Ekweremadu is actually a formidable opposition for 2019. And no.. This ain’t no sarcasm
— Daddy D.O???????? (@DOlusegun) March 31, 2018
Senate President Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 presidential race, The Boss Newspaper is reporting.
This is a gratifying news to me.
With @BukolaSaraki_APC and @IbrahimDankwambo_PDP as presidential candidates respectively, then #Nigeria‘s arrived. #Nigeria‘s ressurected pic.twitter.com/ZCUmuDgXRc— Arinze Nweje (@arinzenweje) April 1, 2018
Bukola Saraki has declared interest in the upcoming 2019 Presidential race; i am sure this is the whole reason for the Election sequence reordering bill to give himself the needed advantage. Interesting time ahead!!!
— Big Man (@SundayOgo06) March 31, 2018
Bukola Saraki for president…????????
Call Saraki anything you like..truth is: compared to Buhari your messiah…he does not have a god complex & is not a hypocrite. He is not like Osinbajo who shouts corruption upandan while praising & serving the grandmasters of corruption
— Babasola Kuti (@SKSolaKuti) April 2, 2018
I want to tell Saraki now to make up his mind because God hs ordained him to help this country. He should come out to contest for president. It’s not by noise. At the moment, he is the one who can move Nigeria forward.
-Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church
— Yemi Adepoju (@prinxadeyemi) April 3, 2018
Dr. Bukola Saraki. Medical Doctor. Former two-term State Governor, Senate President. Young and vibrant enough for the office demands. Demonstrated ability to weld divergent interests together. Urbane, articulate, and commands the respect of various groups and his peers.
— Itata Itata (@Itatex20) April 2, 2018
Just about time ???????? senate president: Bukola Saraki joins the presidential race ahead of the 2019 election!!… Just Wowwwwwwwwwwwww ????????
— DAMILARE ™???? (@justdareyzeal) March 31, 2018
Anybody that think Saraki will contest for president is politically naive. Saraki is just using the kite to negotiate for his return as Senate President
— Ayantunji Ben (PhD) (@bengbenro) April 1, 2018
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