Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said for him, politics is not defined by personal ambition.
While reacting to the question about whether he would leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he fails to get the party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 election, Saraki said he is more concerned about bringing back the country on the path of progress and development.
The former Kwara State Governor who has been speculated to be interested in the presidency promised to work with anyone that emerges as the party’s candidate.
He spoke in an interview on Arise TV monitored by our correspondent.
Saraki reiterated that a lot of Nigerians are not happy with the situation in the country, saying his concern is about repositioning the PDP to provide a better alternative for the ruling APC.
He said, “On the question that if I decide to run and don’t get the ticket, would I defect? I think that is not really fair. In 2015, I ran for the Presidency and didn’t get it, but I offered myself to be the DG of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and I worked hard.
“I’m 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.”
He said the PDP is on the path of rejuvenation with the Saturday’s convention.
“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 can’t meet your individual ambition.
“As about last year, some individuals have already talked about their ambition for 2023, and I said it can’t 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’m ready.”
