SENATOR Bukola Saraki has stepped up the lobbying of emirs across northern Nigeria in a last desperate attempt to halt his prosecution for false asset declaration and a possible impeachment move against him.  

Over recent weeks, Senator Saraki has been embattled with the Code of Conduct Bureau prosecuting him over the false declaration of assets while he was Kwara State governor. He is now facing possible impeachment, as his party the All Progressives Congress is planning to ditch him as senate president and has already lined up the likes of Senator George Akume and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as possible replacements. 

On Friday, Senator Saraki was also booed and pelted with water sachets when he attended Sallah prayers at the Ilorin Prayer Ground. Insisting that his travails are the handiwork of his political enemies, Senator Saraki and his supporters on the Like Minds Group of the Senate have reached out to some emirs to come to his aid. 

Some of the senators were said to be urging the emirs to prevail on the federal government to drop charges against Senator Saraki, who met with the traditional rulers yesterday. However, they fear that President Muhammadu Buhari may not accept any under-the-table deal in matters relating to corruption. 

One source said: “Some loyalists of Saraki are really pushing for political option, which is why they have been reaching out to prominent emirs and chiefs in the north. I think Saraki is buying into the rapprochement by meeting with some emirs where he explained his own side and how things could be straightened. 

“For instance on Saturday, Saraki had audience with some emirs and chiefs from the north in connection with his travails and how to resolve the matter amicably. No one is happy the way things are as the presidency and the senate leadership are working at cross-purpose and if we continue like this, the hostility between the presidency and the senate will deepen and it will affect many things." 

However, one presidency source added: “As far as I know, President Muhammadu Buhari will not accept an under-the-table deal on allegations having to do with corruption. The presidency has explained that it has nothing to do with Saraki’s trial, so there is no basis for any lobbying.” 

As of at last night, Senator Saraki’s supporters were still divided on whether or not to confront the presidency over his arraignment before the tribunal. Senator Saraki's supporters in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have said that he is fit for the office he is occupying and hence it is not considering any candidate to replace him. 

PDP officials have denied reports that they are already looking for a senator from their party to replace Senator Saraki. Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP's national publicity secretary said the party still believed that the trial of Senator Saraki was political.