Former Senate President Bukola Saraki says those who intend to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should exit now to allow loyalists to rebuild the opposition party.
The former senate president and ex-governor of Kwara was reacting to the wave of defections from the PDP in a statement he personally signed on Thursday night.
On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Okowa is set to join the ruling party soon.
Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Saraki said he had received numerous calls from concerned party members and young supporters of democracy about the recent defections 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,” the statement reads.
Saraki noted that a strong opposition is crucial for the survival of democracy, adding that Nigeria cannot thrive as a one-party state.
“To sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point,” he said.
“There must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.”
He warned that a one-party system, as allegedly being plotted by some politicians, is risky for a country as diverse as Nigeria.
“It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless,” he added.
The former governor of Kwara described the current phase of the “PDP as a rebirth” and called on committed members to stay focused.
He said it is better for the party to have a few sincere and committed members than many who are double-faced.
“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 said.
“This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold.”
The former senate president said he observed a lack of sincerity among some opposition leaders and often could not trust those around him.
“It is a league; twenty-four hours is a long time in politics, and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
He said the events in Delta State should not demoralize PDP members but rather encourage them to consolidate and strengthen the party.
Saraki also warned against blaming the ruling party for PDP’s internal issues, urging members to focus on their responsibilities.
