Senate President Bukola Saraki has explained why he is leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the decision follows prolonged disagreements over inclusion, equity and the treatment of his political associates within the ruling party.
Saraki, who announced his defection from the APC in July 2018, describes the decision as difficult but inevitable after what he says are repeated efforts to resolve the crisis within the party.
In a detailed statement explaining his decision, the Senate President says he has endured what he describes as provocation, ridicule and persecution while making efforts to promote peace and reconciliation within the APC.
He says his decision is also influenced by his responsibility to thousands of supporters, political associates and friends who have placed their confidence in his leadership.
According to Saraki, extensive consultations with stakeholders lead to the decision to seek a new political platform where his supporters can enjoy what he describes as a greater sense of belonging.
He says: “I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki says the decision does not come lightly, arguing that he has made considerable efforts to create room for peace, reconciliation and cooperation within the party.
He also takes responsibility for the decision, but says it is driven by what he describes as forces within the APC that have failed to provide what he considers the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a sense of belonging.
The Senate President accuses some party actors of disregarding basic principles of party administration and says repeated appeals for justice, equity and fairness have not produced the desired outcome.
According to him, many of his supporters and political associates have felt alienated within the APC and have been treated as outsiders.
Saraki says efforts to seek redress have also been frustrated, creating what he describes as a situation in which only people regarded as “one of us” are given room within the party.
He argues that his supporters have consequently decided to seek political accommodation elsewhere.
Saraki also links his decision to the strained relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
He recalls his role as President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, saying he has worked to maintain the constitutional balance between the three arms of government.
According to him, the Constitution envisages a measure of tension among the executive, legislature and judiciary through the principle of checks and balances, but he says such tension should not undermine effective governance.
Saraki maintains that he has made efforts to prevent disagreements between the National Assembly and the executive from escalating into a crisis that could affect the country.
He, however, alleges that disagreements from the legislature have frequently been interpreted as attempts to undermine the executive.
The Senate President also criticises what he describes as the use of anti-corruption rhetoric to silence dissent, arguing that principled objections from lawmakers should not automatically be portrayed as opposition to the government's anti-corruption campaign.
He says persistent attacks against the National Assembly and the encouragement of public hostility towards lawmakers have contributed to the strained relationship between the two arms of government.
Saraki further argues that distrust and mutual suspicion between the executive and legislature have made constructive engagement increasingly difficult.
According to him, accepting peace at the cost of turning the legislature into a “rubber stamp” would amount to compromising the independence of parliament.
He says: “I am a democrat. And I believe that anyone who lays even the most basic claim to being a democrat will not accept peace on those terms.”
Saraki also speaks about efforts by some APC leaders to resolve the crisis, acknowledging the role played by the party's new leadership, some APC governors and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He says those efforts briefly gave him hope that reconciliation remained possible, but alleges that other forces within the party worked against the process.
According to him, the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful because some individuals within the party leadership chose not to support dialogue.
Saraki says the development destroys whatever confidence he had in the possibility of reconciliation within the APC.
He consequently announces his return to the PDP, the party where he began his political journey.
Saraki recalls that he and his political associates left the PDP in 2014 to join the coalition that produced the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections.
He says the decision to leave the PDP was motivated by a desire for justice, equity and inclusion, principles which he believes the PDP had abandoned at that period.
According to him, the APC attracted him and other politicians because of its promise of change, and they worked with other opposition figures to defeat the PDP in the 2015 presidential election.
Saraki now argues that the PDP has learnt important lessons from its defeat.
He says the PDP he is returning to is a party that has recognised the importance of internal democracy, inclusion, justice and equity.
He also expresses support for efforts to rebuild the PDP around democratic values, accountability, inclusion and national competitiveness.
Saraki says he supports a genuine commitment to restructuring and devolution of powers, as well as the use of zoning for political and elective offices as a means of managing Nigeria's diversity.
He says political leaders must regain the confidence of Nigerians by demonstrating a commitment to serving the people rather than taking their support for granted.
The former Senate President also identifies national unity and a sense of belonging as major challenges facing Nigeria.
He argues that Nigerians should be able to live, work and participate in political activities anywhere in the country without discrimination based on their region, language or religion.
Saraki says this objective should remain central to efforts to strengthen the country and its democratic institutions.
He concludes by asking the APC to respect his decision to leave the party, stressing that his movement to the PDP does not automatically make members of the two parties enemies.
“Even though we will now occupy a different political space, we do not necessarily become enemies unto one another.”
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