26th October, 2021
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has dismissed speculations that he may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, if he did not get the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking on an interview programme on Arise News TV on Tuesday morning, Saraki said he is a team player and it would be unfair to think he would join APC in 2023.
“On the question that if I decide to run and don’t get the ticket, would I defect? I think that is not fair. In 2015, I ran for the presidency and didn’t get it, but I offered myself to be the DG of Atiku, and I worked hard.
“I’m a team player; personal ambition is not what the issue is today; what is important is to get this country right. I have my children and grandchildren, and we must leave a better country with jobs for our talented youths. The fact that I said some people would defect does not mean I would defect.”
The former Governor of Kwara State also downplayed the rumours that he is getting ready to contest for the presidency in 2023.
Saraki said he would address the issue at the right time because he is focused on building a strong party and country.
“What is important for any PDP member who truly loves the party and cares for the country is to have a party first.
“One of the reasons I took the responsibility of the National Reconciliation Committee was because there was a concern that the party was losing a lot of steam. Without a strong party, you can’t meet your ambition.
“As about last year, some individuals have already talked about their ambition for 2023, and I said it can’t be about ambition now, but we need to build a strong party.