Date: 2016-12-20

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has held a private meeting with a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu-Sheriff.

The meeting, which lasted for a little over 20 minutes, was held at an enclosure within the International Conference Centre complex, Abuja, on Sunday.

Saraki made his way into the complex at about 7.30 pm and left around 7.51pm and was received by Sheriff who strolled with him to a corner of the hall where they held the meeting.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, it was gathered that they discussed issues of "mutual interest."

There have been speculations about political re-alignments ahead of the 2019 general elections even as Sheriff is battling the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP over the chairmanship of the PDP.

Both have separately vowed to reposition the party towards making it a better alternative platform for the 2019 general polls.

When contacted, the Special Assistant to the Senate President (Print Media), Mr. Chucks Okocha, said while it was true that his boss met with Sheriff, it had nothing to do with politics.

He said, "My principal only went to felicitate with the Sheriffs over the wedding of their daughter.

"The Sarakis and the Sheriffs have been family friends for over 20 years. "There is nothing usual about them sharing moments of joy such as weddings. It was just a social visit and that is what it is."