I Remain Loyal To President Buhari – says Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged his loyalty and support to President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku’s pledge is contained in a statement on Sunday by his media office.

“Make no mistake about it Atiku Abubakar holds Buhari in the highest esteem, and would always remain loyal to him, and support him in every endeavour to succeed as president,” the statement signed by the head of the media team, Paul Ibe, said.

Atiku's open pledge of loyalty to the President comes amidst widespread rumours that he was a mastermind of the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President to frustrate Buhari.

Saraki, who like Atiku, is a member of President Buhari’s All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged senate president when some APC senators were absent due to a scheduled meeting with Buhari.

Since his emergence, which was initially rejected by the APC, Saraki has been making efforts to reconcile with the president.

Atiku, who like Saraki, decamped from the PDP to APC before the general elections, described the politics of the emergence of Saraki as a product "of interplay of politics which is itself in constant motion."

Many Northerners are angry with Atiku for his "obvious" support for Saraki's insubordination.