“Those Who Wish To Leave PDP Should Do So Now” – Saraki Declares

Former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has broken his silence over the recent wave of defections rocking the opposition party, particularly the high-profile exit of leaders in Delta State.

In a strongly worded personally signed statement, Saraki said there is no cause for alarm, urging committed party faithful to see the development as an opportunity to reposition and rebuild the party ahead of the next general elections.

Reacting to what he described as a flurry of calls from concerned PDP members and democracy enthusiasts nationwide, Saraki made it clear that those who no longer believe in the party’s vision should exit now. “My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party,” he declared.

According to him, rather than lament, the time has come for loyal PDP members to stand firm and reengineer the party into a strong and viable opposition that can provide a credible alternative for Nigerians.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy needs options, not a drift towards one-party dominance, warning that any attempt to stifle opposition could be dangerous for a diverse country like Nigeria.

“A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours,” he said. “It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.”

Saraki, who served as Senate President between 2015 and 2019, said he had chosen to remain quiet for some time, observing the unfolding events. He noted that the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other leaders vindicated his earlier concerns about the sincerity of some party figures. “There was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to,” he said.

While describing the defection of the PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate to the ruling party as “shocking and unprecedented,” Saraki dismissed justifications based on political pressure. He said such moves point to a deeper collapse of values in Nigeria’s political leadership.

He called on PDP members nationwide to rise above the disappointment and use this moment to galvanize and reorganize the party’s structures. “Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better,” he noted.

Despite the setbacks, Saraki expressed confidence that the PDP can still win future elections, even if the number of governors in its fold reduces. What matters, he said, is loyalty, sincerity, and commitment to the party’s ideals. “The PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed… than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.”

He urged young people and women in the party to play active roles in the rebuilding process, stressing that the party still has enough time to reposition itself before the next general election cycle.

Saraki concluded his statement with a rallying call to PDP members to stay strong, hopeful, and focused. “We should see the current development as a challenge to rebuild and refocus the party. Tomorrow is very bright,” he said, assuring that the party leadership will soon meet and issue a unified strategic response.

“There is no cause for alarm,” he reiterated.