Former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, has denied claims making the rounds that he would return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to enable him realise his presidential ambition come 2023.
Saraki disclosed this when he appeared on Arise News on Tuesday where he assured his followers that he would remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in 2023. He described himself as a team player and it could be unfair for him to join the APC in 2023.
He said: “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.”
He also downplayed the possibility of running for the presidency in 2023 adding that he would address the issue at the right time as he is still 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.”
