Mr. Saraki is from Kwara State in N/Central and one of the leading contenders for the senate topmost job.
The aide, Bamidele Omisore, issued a statement Tuesday saying he merely shared on social media information he found in Daily Trust newspaper.
Mr. Omisore said he was “excited” after reading the report which made the zoning claim, and therefore, tweeted it without checking the facts.
“Unfortunately, after reading the story in Daily Trust this morning, out of excitement I immediately reacted to the story by sharing it on all our social media networks without first checking within the party to confirm the validity of the story”, Mr. Omisore said.
“As the Special Assistant on Media & Advocacy to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki and in my personal capacity, I take full responsibility for the error and apologize to the party and all concerned that might have been inconvenienced by this action”, he said.
The post on Mr. Saraki’s Twitter handle had said, “I am delighted that the NWC of our dear party yesterday reaffirmed its earlier decision to zone position of Senate President to North Central”.
This information was later debunked by the APC’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, who said the party was deeply embarrassed by the story and said it was apparently planted in the media to sow the seeds of discord in the party.
“The NWC never discussed the issue of zoning at its meeting. Therefore, the report of its decision on zoning is a figment of the imagination of whoever concocted the story”, the party said.
The APC scribe said nothing has changed since the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) stated his readiness to work with anyone from any part of the country who occupies any of the principal offices of the incoming National Assembly, including those of the Senate Presidency and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.