TheCable

Senate President Bukola Saraki is said to be considering turning down an invitation to break fast with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

During Ramadan, the presidency invites dignitaries to break fast with Buhari. On Monday, the president hosted members of his cabinet and it is the turn of federal lawmakers on Tuesday.

“The villa has invited the senate president for Iftar with the president. We don’t know if there is anything more than the breaking of fast between both men but I can tell you that he was invited to the villa, though he is having another thought about attending it,” the source said.

When contacted Garba Shehu, spokesman of the president, confirmed that Buhari would be hosting the leadership of the national assembly.

“The President is hosting the leadership of the National Assembly to the breaking of fast this evening,” Shehu said in a text message.

Yusuph Olaniyonu, media aide of Saraki, also confirmed that Saraki was invited but said the senate president will “most likely” attend the event.

The president’s invitation to the senate president is coming at a time Saraki is having a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Last week, the commission said it would probe Saraki’s tenure as governor of Kwara state.

Saraki was governor of the state between 2003 and 2011. The agency has reportedly seized some of Saraki’s choice properties in Lagos state.

The senate president has accused the agency of witch-hunt, wondering why there are attempts to probe him over allegations the supreme court cleared him of.