2023: Saraki Rules Out Defecting To APC, Downplays Presidential Ambition

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Senate President, Bukola Abubakar Saraki has ruled out any possibility of returning to the All Progressives Congress, APC, fold.

The former Kwara State Governor made this assertion while responding to questions on ARISE TV, Tuesday October 26th October, 2021.

He dismissed possibility of returning to the APC, stressing that it would be unfair, promising to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold in 2023.

When asked the possibility of defecting to the APC if the PDP fails to give him the Party’s 2023 Presidential ticket, he said it doesn’t matter who clinched the ticket. Saraki described himself as a team player, who believes 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 really 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.”

Saraki, however, downplayed the possibility of him running for the presidency in 2023, stressing that he would address the issue at the right time because he is focused on building a strong party and country.

He said: “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 individual 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.

“So, the focus for me now is for us to build a strong party, and we have started the process in our congresses, reconciliation, and hopefully the convention.

“After we have put that in place, then we can start talking about individual interests. In due time I would love to respond when I’m ready.”