A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has on Tuesday, stated that the priority and main focus of Nigerian Politicians, just ahead of the 2023 general elections, should be mainly on how to get the country working again, and not on personal ambition, Page 36 learnt.
He also stated that he will not leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, even if he does not get the party’s 2023 Presidential ticket, stressing that he is a team player, citing also the role he played in working hard to ensure the 2019 Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, attained victory in the past election, when he did not get the ticket.
He said this in an exclusive interview with ARISE Television.
His exact words: “On the question that if I decide to run and do not get the ticket, would I defect? I think that is not really fair. In 2015, I ran for the Presidency and did not get it, but I offered myself to be the DG of Atiku, and I worked hard.
“I am a team player; personal ambition is not what the issue is today; what is important is to get this country right. I have my children and grandchildren, and we must leave a better country with jobs for our talented youths. The fact that I said some people would defect, does not mean I would defect.
Speaking further, he stated: “What is important for any PDP member who truly loves the party and cares for the country, is to have a party first.
“One of the reasons I took the responsibility of the National Reconciliation Committee, was because there was a concern that the party was losing a lot of steam. Without a strong party, you cannot meet your individual ambition.
“As about last year, some individuals have already talked about their ambition for 2023, and I said it cannot be about ambition now, but we need to build a strong party.
“So, the focus for me now is for us to build a strong party, and we have started the process in our congresses, reconciliation, and hopefully the Convention.
“After we have put that in place, then we can start talking about individual interests. In due time, I would love to respond when I am ready.”