Inside Strategy Helping Bukola Saraki To Massively Build On Political Relevance

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki is gradually, but strongly, building on his political relevance.

The two-time presidential aspirant (for the 2019 and 2023 elections) has adopted a variety of subtle and not-so-subtle approaches to achieve this.

Being at the center of the rebuilding of his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is said to be providing him with significant leverage.

The former two-term Governor of Kwara State—from May 29, 2003, to May 29, 2011—is at the forefront of reorganizing and strengthening the fractured political platform at both national and state levels.

The nation’s main opposition party is grappling with, among other issues, a complex and out-of-control supremacy tussle that has pitted leaders across regions against each other, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, playing central roles.

Saraki is spearheading the move to resolve these conflicts, aiming to make the party formidable ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former Senate President played a similar role ahead of the 2023 elections when he was appointed as the Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee in 2020.

Since then, he has continued to mediate internal party politics to restore unity, a move that inevitably enhances his influence within the party.

Outside of the PDP, the 61-year-old continues to build strategic alliances across political parties. He has been leveraging old relationships and forging new ones with emerging leaders and political influencers.

The July 2024 burial of his mother, Mama Morenike Florence Saraki, testifies to his success in this regard.

The high-profile event attracted powerful figures from different divides, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Incumbent Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and former Senator Ibikunle Amosun led the APC delegation to the occasion.

Adding to the comeback of the well-connected politician, who suffered a setback with a senatorial re-election loss in 2019 to Ibrahim Oloriegbe—66,994 votes to 123,808 votes—are his youth engagements.

Saraki has continued to actively court Nigeria’s youth population, urging them to show more interest in governance through active participation. The youth make up a large percentage of the electorate, and Saraki is not only advocating for greater youth participation but also mentoring young political aspirants, according to those familiar with his approach.

Through the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, the former Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum has maintained a positive image with his humanitarian efforts in healthcare and education, particularly in his Kwara State political base.

His public speaking, especially his contributions to thought leadership discussions, has also helped sustain his public profile. The former Kwara governor has cultivated an image of fairness in his comments on national issues, exemplified by his commendation of the Federal Government on the recent release of underage #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Also working tremendously for Saraki is his concerted effort to strengthen ties with political elites in the north, given their crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s politics.

Said to still nurse the ambition to become Nigeria’s president, the former governor—who recently celebrated with the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso —is reported as being very intentional in cementing his ties with northern elites as far back as can be remembered.