Former Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said at a rally in Kwara State yesterday that he was under pressurise to denounce and abuse former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, but that he declined.

Abdullahi was relieved of his appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan in March, 2014.

He alleged that his refusal to denounce former Governor Bukola Saraki despite pressure from PDP leaders was based on principle, declaring that as a responsible and honest man, he cannot bite the fingers that fed him.

"On March 3rd, 2014, the PDP held a unity rally at Metropolitan Square here in Kwara, where the president was present. Then, I was still in office as Minister of Sports. I was given a microphone to lambast Dr. Bukola Saraki but I declined because I’m not a bastard from Ilorin. Saraki was instrumental to my successes in public life. He appointed me Special Assistant, commissioner and nominated me as minister," he said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has said that candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming elections are "apprentices of the political dynasty of late Dr. Olusola Saraki".

Speaking at the ceremony, where the former governor, Bukola Saraki presented APC flags to candidates, including Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Abdullahi described the PDP as "sinking ship".

He said "God is no longer on the side of the party and that was shown by the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the African Cup of Nations."

He urged the electorate to vote for the APC presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, Governor Ahmed and other APC candidates at all levels.

Saraki in his remarks said Nigerians would fare better under the APC government at federal and state levels, saying the PDP-led federal government could not point at its achievements in the state.