Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has told members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are no longer committed to its ideals to exit the party immediately, insisting that the time has come to rebuild the opposition with loyalists only.
Saraki, who made the statement in reaction to recent defections from the PDP, said those who were no longer aligned with the vision of the party should clear the path for sincere and focused members.
His remarks followed the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and indications that his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, may soon follow suit.
The former Kwara governor, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday night, said he had received numerous calls from concerned party members and young democrats, particularly over the political drama playing out in the Delta State chapter of the PDP.
“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,” Saraki said, stressing that a viable opposition is critical to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
Saraki warned that a one-party state poses a grave danger to a country as diverse as Nigeria.
“To sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point,” he noted. “There must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.”
He added that any attempt to suppress opposition voices or create political hopelessness could further weaken democratic values and institutions.
Describing the current challenges within the PDP as a period of rebirth, Saraki urged committed members to remain steadfast and focused.
“It is better for the party to have a few sincere and committed members than many who are double-faced,” he declared.
“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.”
He acknowledged that he had chosen to remain silent in recent times but felt vindicated by current developments within the party, which, according to him, exposed the insincerity of some so-called opposition leaders.
Saraki also criticised the recent defection of the PDP presidential candidate’s former running mate, calling the move “disgraceful and unprecedented.”
“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,” he said. “It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.”
Despite the internal crisis, Saraki said the PDP still has the time and capacity to regroup and pose a formidable challenge in the next elections.
“With the defection of the governor of Delta State, 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,” he noted.
He called on party members to stop blaming the APC for the PDP’s woes, urging them instead to focus on self-reflection, unity, and strategic reorganisation.
“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,” he said.
Saraki expressed optimism that the leadership of the PDP would soon convene to chart a new course for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
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