Defection: No cause for alarm, we’ll reposition PDP – Saraki vows

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the main opposition party will rebound.

The Waziri of Ilorin made this known in a statement while reacting to the recent wave of defections from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

DAILY POST recalls that the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday, formally defected from PDP to APC.

Reacting, Saraki said those who wish to leave the party “should leave now” while the faithful ones “concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.”

The statement read: “I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point.

“Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.

“A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.

“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point.

“Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth. 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.

“All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party.

“This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold. I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to.

“My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months.

“That is why PDP members across the country should not be discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, or demoralised by the development in Delta State. We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party. It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left.”