Former Senate President Bukola Saraki says those who want to leave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should exit now to allow loyalists to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Saraki said the PDP loyalists should refocus the party to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for Nigerians.
The former governor of Kwara State said this via a statement issued on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in reaction to the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki described the defection of Okowa, the PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election, as shocking and unprecedented, saying it was a sign of how low the opposition party has sunk as a polity.
Saraki, who disclosed that he had received numerous calls from concerned PDP members about the recent development in the Delta State chapter of the party, said: “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.
“I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point. Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.
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“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. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.
“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point. Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth.
“Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment, and we can all work to rebuild the party.”
The former Senate President urged the PDP members across the country to stay strong and focus on strengthening the party, saying it is unnecessary to lament why Oborevwori and others left the party.
He further enjoined the PDP members to refrain from blaming the party’s internal crisis on the APC, adding: “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.
“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. This is unprecedented, and nobody should try to justify such an act with the talk of being put under pressure. It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.
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“I am very sure the various leadership organs of our party will soon make public their reaction to this development and convey the necessary meetings to strategise on how to strongly and strategically respond to it. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm.
“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.”
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