Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has spoken after a long time, giving reasons why he has been silent over the series of crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party.
Saraki, who just returned from an annual vacation, went straight to Akwa Ibom State to join the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the state’s creation.
Saraki said he had been working silently, adding that there were times when it was necessary to do this.
The PUNCH reports that the PDP, of which Saraki is a member, has been battling leadership crisis, particularly the aggressive calls for the resignation of its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, specifically led by governors Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde of Rivers State and Oyo State respectively.
Wike’s camp had recently pulled out of the campaign council of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku, who seemed to be boxed in a corner, being a notable figure in the party, had not taken side on the call for the resignation of Ayu. Rather, Atiku maintained that the party’s constitution must be followed. Atiku also recently said that Ayu could not be forced to resign. This is as Wike continues to drag the party even by holding media parleys, alleging bribery and raising several allegations.
Aggrieved members of the PDP had hinged their calls for the resignation of Ayu on regional reasons, saying they wanted the South to a hold a position in the party’s leadership.
Reacting via Facebook post on his verified page, Saturday, Saraki said, “I just returned from my annual vacation and went straight to Akwa Ibom to join the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the state’s creation.
“As I moved around the country in the past few days, I got the feeling that many people are concerned over my seeming silence on recent developments in our party, the PDP. My response is that there are times to speak and be heard and there are times when working silently behind the scene is more productive. This is such a time.”
Throwing weight behind Atiku, Saraki said, “The PDP and Atiku Abubakar remain the best option for Nigerians in the 2023 polls!”
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