Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would “sort itself out”, following President Bola Tinubu’s remarks on the crisis bedevilling opposition political parties in the country.
While fielding questions from journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday, Mr Saraki acknowledged Mr Tinubu’s position about the crises in opposition parties, aligning with the president on his support for a multiparty system.
Mr Tinubu, in his June 12 Democracy Day speech on Thursday, expressed delight at the disarray in the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He refuted claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was hellbent on making Nigeria a one-party state amid the wave of defections to the ruling party.
“Political parties’ fear of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs, rather than fearful conjuring up demons that do not exist. For me, I would not say try your best to put your house in order, I would not help you to do so either. It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray,” Mr Tinubu had said.
Reacting to Mr Tinubu’s remarks, the former Senate president admitted his party, PDP, was in crisis, urging members to get their houses back in order.
“I think we must take him at his word. I mean, he spoke well, saying that he’s not for a one-party state. So we must take him at his word, and he supports a multi-party. So we are all on the same page,” Mr Saraki said.
The politician added, “That is why we are going around and bringing everybody to come around. So those who say they are under pressure, there is no pressure anymore. So, we are all for multi-party, and everybody should get their house in order, as he said, he is not going to help us, so, we are going to sort our own house again.”
Opposition parties, including PDP, LP and NNPP, have been mired in internal crises, with many questioning their integrity and readiness to wrestle power from Mr Tinubu in 2027.
Mr Saraki was appointed to chair PDP’s reconciliation committee as the opposition embarked on steps to unite all its stakeholders ahead of the forthcoming elections.
