Nigerians would have been a little surprised to hear Senate President Bukola Saraki was eased out of his loft in the upper chamber had the APC succeeded in a December political machination that eventually just broke open on the floor.
APC Sen. Isah Misau from Bauchi Central blew the gaff during the week.
The National Daily learnt that the arrowhead of the coup was a northern governor close to President Muhammadu Buhari. And around December, he sucked in a couple of governors and ministers known for their hardball politics to mobilise APC senators, especially those worried by Saraki’s next move, and shove the Senate president out of office.
The anti-Saraki cabal believes the No. 3 man may join the PDP the way things are, and switch the Senate leadership, which will further firm up his grip on the chamber as his predecessor Sen. David Mark is ever ready to lend a hand.
Saraki, in 2015, outsmarted his ruling party that wanted to impose Sen. Ahmed Lawan, now majority leader, on the Senate. The former governor’s manoeuvre and eventual victory in the Senate leadership election pitted him against some big shots in the party, among whom were APC national leader Bola Tinubu and Buhari himself.
The sore might still be fresh on those that felt hurt, many believe, looking at the cold-blooded revolt that was aborted.
The whistleblower, Sen. Misau, however, has a chip on his shoulder.
He has a grudge against his party and Aso Rock, following a smackdown, last year, between him and IGP Ibrahim Idris he slapped with a barrage of allegations, including sleeping with female officers looking for promotion.
The federal government took Misau to court and the trial begins Jan 27.