2023: Saraki speaks on running for president, defecting to APC

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has ruled out a comeback to the ruling All Progressives Congress, or APC.

Saraki stated that he will continue to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

On Tuesday, he said this in response to a question on Arise News about the potential of defecting to the APC if he does not win the opposition party’s presidential ticket.

Saraki, who described himself as a team player, said it would be unjust to expect him to join the APC in 2023.

According to Saraki: “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.”

The former Governor of Kwara State also downplayed the possibility of running 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.

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.”