— Saraki did not give out vehiclesto young boys so that they could use them to rob people.

— The Senate President has been exonerated already since one of the suspects categorically said that Saraki did not send them to rob.

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara state, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, has said that the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed are being victimized by the President Muhammadu-led government.

Buhari said the politicians were being unnecessarily victimised over the Offa bank robbery saga.

The Publicity Secretary who was sharing the opinion of the APC in the state in an interview with the Punch, said everybody knows that what is happening is a clear case of witch – hunt.

Speaking further, Buhari said, “One can recall how they started with him. The executive started with the issue of asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal which he said he was ready to face in order to prove his innocence.

“He had earlier raised the alarm that there was information from Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed that he was to be implicated in a cult – related case.

“We know the efforts and mechanism he put in place to banish cultism in the state. So within a short time that he raised the alarm, the police came up with another allegations in connection with the Offa armed robbery allegation.

“The police said he knew something about the Offa armed robbery. It is a laughable matter to be sincere . We know the antecedent of the Senate President. He declared an asset worth almost N40 bn in 2003.

“How can such a person, a two- term governor , a senator who has been in the National Assembly for seven years and the President of the Senate for three years , be involved in armed robbery? What is he going to gain and achieve from that? It is totally uncalled for! He has never been involved or sponsored any political crime within or outside the state before because he is not a violent person. He does not appreciate or encourage violence. He does not even encourage thuggery.”

Asked about the confession of some of the arrested gang leaders who said Saraki bought vehicles and empowered them with vehicles and other logistics, Buhari added, “It is possible for a kind- hearted personality like him to empower anybody with vehicles and this happen everywhere.

“Go to Lagos State, a member of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajiabiamila, gave out buses to people . Many people are doing that. Many state governors are also doing it.

“Saraki did not give out vehicles to the boys so that they could use them to rob people. One of the suspects categorically said the Senate President did not send them to rob. So the Senate President has been exonerated already.”

On the belief that the suspects are part of the Saraki ’s political family and card carrying members of the APC, the APC spokesperson said,

“If people are saying that the suspects are part of the Saraki political family, does that also mean that the almajaris, who are fighting in some parts of the country , are also members of the Buhari political family? No ! You cannot say that they are part of his family.

“In as much as he is the political leader of Kwara State, everybody can be part of the political structure.”