Defections: ‘The Worst Yet To Happen,They Can Leave, We Are Rebuilding PDP’, Says Saraki

Former Senate President and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has warned that more defections from the PDP were likely, stressing that the party was yet seen the worst.

However, he remains optimistic about the opposition party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News Channel’s PrimeTime Show on Friday, Saraki addressed the internal crises rocking the PDP, while offering insight into the party’s strategy for recovery and unity. He also weighed in on broader developments within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Reacting to the wave of defections hitting the PDP in recent weeks, Saraki admitted that the situation was far from over.

“At this time… PDP would likely see one or two more defections. And we should prepare ourselves for that. There is a possibility. Maybe Fubara, maybe others… we say, look, the worst is not yet. We haven’t seen the worst of the defections for PDP,” he said.

Despite the instability at the top, Saraki maintained that the PDP still enjoys deep-rooted support from the grassroots.

“The party is still very strong in the grassroots,” he noted. “Some of the grassroots members say, look, I’ve been PDP all my life… but out of the politics, there’s deference to our leaders… That’s what I mean by it’s top-bottom, as opposed to bottom-up.”

Rather than viewing the defections as a sign of doom, the former Senate President believed they offer a chance for rebirth.

“Those that want to leave, let them leave. Maybe it’s an opportunity… Those who are staying, clearly they’re staying, they’re very committed. Let’s use this opportunity to start to rebuild for the future,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the timing of the crisis could ultimately benefit the PDP.

“This happening early in PDP is an advantage. We have two years to election… and we’re lucky to have that,” Saraki remarked.

Saraki also reacted to reports of internal turmoil within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially concerning the resignation of its National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

“Either way, clearly something is going on there. Clearly there’s some minor, mild, major upheaval going on. The National Chairman of a ruling party is not ever rumoured to resign unless there’s some trouble,” he observed.

Turning to internal PDP issues, Saraki clarified the party’s ongoing leadership dispute and the status of the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

“So it’s not going to be a NEC on Monday, it’s going to be a caucus. We’re all trying to just be guided there by the law… What is paramount is the interest of the party that ensures that we are not subject to litigations that would jeopardize our aspirants.”

On the lingering confusion over the PDP’s National Secretary position, he said, “As far as INEC is concerned, the person that they see as a secretary, as of today, is Senator Sam Anyanwu.”

Saraki assured party members that the reconciliation committee has not failed but was instead laying the foundation for lasting unity.

“Until this point, none of us had accepted any secretary. We’re starting the process of doing the right thing. So if we can address the issue of the secretary, then we can go to NEC, then go to convention, and then hopefully at convention we will have a newly elected executive.”

Despite the turbulence, Saraki insisted that the PDP was focused on the future and was already laying the groundwork to present a credible presidential candidate in 2027.

“Exactly. We are thinking to ensure that we have a credible, serious candidate… We’re not yet at home, but we’re laying foundation to make PDP a good and attractive platform.”

In closing, the former Kwara State governor dismissed the notion that the PDP was a “sinking ship.”

“It is not a lost cause. A party of over 26 years of history… It is doable. We just have to take those steps one by one to rebuild the party,” Saraki stated.