Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the former senate president and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said there is no cause for alarm over the mass defection of top Delta State party leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as an opportunity for rebirth and repositioning.
In a statement issued on Thursday in response to the dramatic defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire state PDP structure to the ruling party, Saraki urged calm among party members and called for renewed commitment to rebuilding the PDP.
“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 and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria,” he said.
Read also: “He’s a loser again” – Tinubu’s aides mock Atiku as defection tsunami hits PDP
The former governor of Kwara expressed confidence that the PDP would emerge stronger. He emphasised the importance of a credible opposition in a democratic society like Nigeria.
“To sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point,” he said. “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.”
Reacting to the defection of Okowa, the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Saraki described it as “unprecedented” and a “sign of how low we have sunk as a polity.” He dismissed excuses of pressure or compulsion as insufficient justification for such a political shift.
“Yes, it is unbecoming and shocking for the running mate to the standard bearer of a leading party to abandon ship to join the ruling party… It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.”
Saraki also criticised the internal sincerity of some opposition figures. “This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold. I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to.”
He urged party members not to be discouraged but to see the development as a wake-up call. “It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left,” he noted. “We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party.”
He added that the PDP should not waste time blaming the APC for its troubles. “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.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Saraki expressed optimism that the PDP, even with a reduced number of governors, remains capable of victory.
“Even if the party has only ten governors in its fold, the PDP is still in a good position to win the next round of elections.
“Our party members should not lose focus, hope, or the determination to win. We should see the current development as a challenge to rebuild and refocus the party. Tomorrow is very bright,” he said.
