Senate President, Bukola Saraki has made it clear that he would not engage in public discussion on what he called the legitimate points former President Olusegun Obasanjo raised in his letter to the National Assembly.
Senator Saraki, who denied ever speaking to news men on the issues raised by Obasanjo in his letter, admitted that mistakes have been made “by all of us in the past” and it was a reference to all stakeholders like political office holders, the media, civil society, professional and business groups, among others.
“Dr. Saraki will like to maintain his earlier position that he will only write a formal letter to President Obasanjo to explain all the efforts the Eight Senate is making to address some of the issues the former President raised in his letter to him. The Senate President will not use any public event or the media to give any direct or indirect response to the legitimate points raised by the elder statesman and father of the nation.
“The Senate President further urged the media to refrain from sensationalism which leads to twisting and misrepresentation of the position of public officers and therefore further create unnecessary tension in the polity. The urge to sell newspapers should not override the need for ethical standard and accuracy in presentation of news to be maintained. The media should equally be sensitive to other people’s feelings.”
The statement which was issued today by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Saraki as describing the report in which he was said to have replied President Obasanjo as mere mischief as “misrepresentation and undue sensationalism.” [myad]
