Tinubu, Saraki hold secret meeting in Birnin-Kebbi

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu and Senate President Bukola Saraki surprised guests, yesterday. After shaking hands at a book launch in honour of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Illiasu Bashar, the two went into a secret meeting, which lasted about an hour.

Tinubu and Saraki have been at daggers drawn over political differences.Tinubu, who arrived the venue, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin-Kebbi, alongside Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State in a Toyota Coaster at about 10:30 a.m., were seated before Saraki arrived in a separate vehicle.

A mild drama played out as Saraki went straight to greet Tinubu, who was seated beside Bagudu, causing a stir in the crowd. Tinubu stood to greet him. This was followed by a tête-à-tête.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Masari, described the book launch as service to humanity, stressing that all Nigerians must work hard to sustain the country’s unity. “The more we write books, the more we unite, and the more we understand ourselves. What is important is that those who disagree should also write their books.”
 
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, in his remarks, charged all Nigerians to embark on projects that would strengthen the unity of the country, even as he commended the attendance of different personalities at the event, irrespective of their religious faith.

He, however, urged the authors to adjust some fallacies in the book, saying a few chapters distort the country’s history.Presenting the book, the chief launcher, Tinubu, also harped on unity, saying: “What is dividing us is lack of understanding of history. Our problem in Nigeria is not about economic poverty, but lack of understanding of the difficulties Nigerians are going through.”

Saraki, who was chairman of the occasion, said he attended the book launch because of the relationship between the people of his constituency and Gwandu emirate. He commended the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for initiating the writing of books to foster understanding and knowledge in the country.