Saraki Announces He Will Not Pursue Presidency in 2027

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has officially announced his decision not to compete for the presidency or any other elective position in the 2027 general elections.

Saraki made this statement during his appearance on Channels Television's program 'Politics Today' on Thursday.

“I’m not running for president in 2027,” Saraki confirmed when asked about his intentions regarding the 2027 presidential election.

He further emphasized that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to be a strong contender in Nigeria's political landscape, despite facing internal challenges.

Addressing opinions that the PDP is “dead and buried,” he asserted that such views stem mainly from conflicts among party leaders rather than reflecting the party's grassroots support.

“When you remain in Abuja, one might think that due to the leaders’ disagreements. However, upon visiting the states and engaging with grassroots members, it's evident that the PDP remains robust,” he explained.

He cited Kwara State to illustrate his point, where he indicated that stakeholder feedback and grassroots engagement demonstrate significant loyalty to the party.

On the subject of internal party matters, Saraki admitted that he initially disagreed with the PDP convention held in Ibadan. However, after receiving confirmation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be participating to ensure the process's legitimacy, he permitted delegates from Kwara State to take part.

Nevertheless, he remarked that the INEC did not attend the event, stressing that the convention should have been postponed under such conditions.

Saraki also dismissed rumors suggesting that he is contemplating a switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other party, reaffirming his dedication to the PDP.

He criticized the ruling APC for not fostering a genuine multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Furthermore, he clarified that he does not harbor any personal resentment towards Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the political struggles he faced during his tenure as Senate President.