Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has dismissed claims that his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, signals support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, Saraki stressed that his political stance remains independent, noting that he does not engage in covert alliances.
“I’m not somebody that says things I’m not going to do. I don’t operate at night. If I’m taking a position, I come out openly and stand by it,” he said.
Saraki explained that his relationship with Wike is rooted in shared concerns about the survival and strength of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than any alignment with the ruling party.
“You can’t extrapolate that. My friendship with Wike is about what we can do to keep the PDP alive and competitive. I believe in the party’s ability to provide a credible platform for elections,” he added.
Wike, though a prominent PDP figure, has repeatedly expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, a stance that has deepened divisions within the opposition party.
Saraki’s comments come amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, which has seen rival factions emerge since late 2025.
While one bloc backs the leadership that emerged from the Ibadan convention, another aligned with Wike has set up a caretaker structure to steer party affairs.
Amid the internal wrangling, Saraki called for reconciliation, urging party leaders to close ranks and restore confidence among members ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“If we don’t believe in the PDP, we can leave and join another party. But for those of us who remain, we must make it work. A credible convention and legitimate processes will rebuild trust,” he said.
He expressed optimism that ongoing reconciliation efforts and a transparent convention process, monitored by the electoral body, would help reposition the PDP as a viable opposition force.
