Bukola Saraki Speaks On Defection Rumours, Opposition Politics + More

[0:07] the opera guest is congress apc brags about his national convention as over a thousand delegates [0:14] are gearing up for the crucial meeting in the fct abuja our senate president and former [0:31] aquarius state governor senator bukela saraki will be speaking with us tonight on the program [0:36] on the state of affairs of the pdp and the road to 20 27 elections everyone welcome to the program [0:55] this is politics today live on china's television i am sure right here in abuja [1:01] let's tell you what has become a worrying situation within the people's democratic [1:05] party which of course is uh the world of arrest on the uh the fractional national chairman and [1:12] is going to get to at that point i will give you details of that story but uh it looks to me that [1:19] all is said for the all progress is congress apc national convention it's later for tomorrow [1:25] uh which is the 27th and the 28th of march 2027 earlier today the party's uh media committee led [1:36] by the minister of information mr muhammad idris and there's a wordpress conference about the [1:41] readiness and it says about a thousand members of the party and delegates will be attending [1:48] including uh the leader of the party and the president bala tunabu take a listen to the [1:54] minister of information [1:55] muhammad idris addressing the press conference earlier today number of delegates expected at the [2:04] convention acting a total number 453 453 delegates these are the number of delegates were expected [2:20] to come from across all the 36 sets of the federation to abuja all right then so much to talk [2:32] about tonight but our focus is the conversation with a former senate president and a former state [2:38] government but before we get into the conversation we're going to talk a little bit about the [2:39] political roundup so let's get started with that let's start with some of your political roundup stars [2:55] vice president kashim shatima has reaffirmed nigeria's commitment to promoting and protecting [3:01] human rights while ensuring the effective implementation of international humanitarian [3:06] law treaties he said this at the 2026 high level international humanitarian law dialogue in abuja [3:13] the vice president knows that the federal government's approach is anchored on three [3:17] non-negotiable pillars which include the protection of civilian population the humane treatment of [3:21] all persons affected by conflict and the preservation of human dignity even in the most [3:26] difficult circumstances and the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice latif [3:32] has rejected former vice president atiku abubakar's claim that disputes over the opl 245 oil block [3:38] remain unsolved fabemi described that tico stands as a misrepresentation [3:43] urging nigerians to disregard it the former vice president had dismissed the federal [3:46] government's assertion that the matter was settled citing a pre-action notice from malabu oil [3:51] as evidence that disputes persists he also raised concerns over due process noting that related [3:57] cases are still pending before the supreme court and the federal high court mr fabemi countered [4:01] that atticus position undermines what he called a landmark resolution of a dispute spanning nearly [4:07] three decades he traced opl 245's history awarded to malabu oil and gas limited in 1998 revoked in [4:14] 2001 then relocated to shell nigeria ultra deep limited in 2002 which sparked prolonged litigation [4:21] the ongoing bill at the national assembly to repeal the medical and dental practitioners act [4:26] is facing serious opposition from members of the joint health sector unions and the assembly of [4:31] healthcare professionals who staged a protest in abuja the protesting health workers are against [4:35] the bill claiming that if allowed to pass it will subject other medical professionals to the control [4:40] of medical doctors the coalition of civil society organizations led by the concerned professionals [4:45] of nigeria have said that former kaduna state governor nasir el rafai cannot get justice due to [4:51] the blatant abuse of power and cold process by the anti-graft and security agencies in what it called [4:57] the ongoing persecution of the former kaduna state governor speaking at a press conference in abuja [5:02] the convener mr uche diala called on the nation's elder statesman to prevail on the administration [5:07] of president bolatunibu to adhere to the rule of law and the tenants of democracy and release the [5:12] adc chifton instead of using him to play the politics of opposition and intimidation ahead [5:16] of the 2027 polls thanks so much everyone and there you have it you've been served with your [5:32] school roundup stories let me tell you about the story of the factional national chairman of the [5:38] people's democratic party uh whom the court today by justice kekemeke has issued a warrant of arrest [5:47] after mr turaki failed to attend court for his arraignment following a charge by the inspector [5:52] general police for allegedly giving false information to the nigerian police force [5:57] nigeria's main opposition is facing a defining moment a party wants [6:08] dominance now battling internal fractures past struggles and a fight for survivor from the [6:14] deepening crisis within the people's democratic party to the widening reach between key power [6:19] blocks questions mount over unity leadership and the rule to 2027 as a nation grapples with [6:27] economic pressure and governance concerned under president bolatunibu can the opposition reposition [6:33] or is it losing ground tonight one of the party's most influential voices speaks to [6:38] us on the program former senate president bukala sarakin a former quora state governor is speaking [6:44] tonight on crisis reconciliation and the state of the pdp and the battle i had in 2027 dr bukala [6:51] saraki many thanks for joining us tonight thank you it's my pleasure to be here quite a while i've [6:56] seen you it's been a while indeed by the way a lot of people don't know that you're a medical doctor [7:02] that that part of you is silent because they thought dr bukalazaki is maybe the usual title [7:09] shen justin he's a hard-earned doctor do you still know where to turn the stethoscope i still [7:16] do do my do my political friends make fun of me that uh they're not sure they'll come to me but [7:22] anytime you do have one they do make the phone call it's better to get your political advice [7:27] that you get your medical advice you can get both and of course well i wouldn't say fortunately [7:34] unfortunately you're an arsenal fan and you've been one yes you've been one for a long time [7:40] yes any arsenal fan including the likes of aliko dangote those of you you have resilience and a [7:46] lot of patience and losing for a long time and not knowing any any silverware is a lot of patience [7:54] you know for a club that you can we lose i don't know why people are so much against us winning so [8:00] i had to even tell my friend i said look we haven't won this thing okay just be on our side you know [8:04] uh i think god willing we'll do it we'll do it this year i hope [8:10] disappointing how pep dealt with you guys on the weekend no we we that's very disappointing no no [8:16] it was not a good outing it was not a good outing but i mean there's a there's a another part of [8:21] london which you need to go learn some lesson where's that very close to fulham where is that [8:27] you know london is all right i want you to say the club is that your club the samford bridge [8:34] we've got all the civil wars that you can ever think of in the world well you have a few in europe [8:40] so you didn't win any tournaments yes but when in the modern in the modern football we haven't got [8:44] to 50 years yet so so yeah i know you talk about how long we've taken those years but we haven't [8:50] got to 50 years you took 50 years before you it took a long time but then we thought we thought [8:57] we're done the corner and we're we are winners now we're the world champions but let's get to [9:01] politics yeah that those who say you should apologize to the nation and to the people's [9:09] democratic party you led reconciliation yet [9:12] the party is in a lot of crisis do you take a blame in some way are you able to apologize to [9:17] nigerians that in some way bukalasaraki failed the pdp and failed the nation the opposition [9:23] is collapsing not at all in a way i think i mean with greatest humility i would say that um [9:32] what we saw now would have happened a long time ago we kept it together for months after the [9:38] committee of reconciliation in trying to keep all the forces together and [9:43] it was unfortunate that it finally went to the you know broke apart just before the so-called [9:48] abaddon convention but before then we've had this issue and through our common [9:52] recommendation committee we've been keeping it together we had challenges remember first people [9:57] thought we would never be able to have a neck meeting uh we'll never be able to sit today and [10:02] hold neck meetings we'll never be able to bring the governors together and all throughout that [10:06] period we we my committee led myself and some of those that work with me we kept it right up to the [10:13] last point of which was before the convention if you know this crisis was not just the convention [10:18] leading to that over the weeks and months there have been a lot of work that we did and we were [10:24] the last party i mean a lot of the opposition party that stayed together without actually [10:30] being divided into maybe a factual or non-factual we avoided all the booby traps along the way we [10:36] just kept meeting reconciling people bringing ourselves together there are many evenings that [10:42] you know i i i [10:43] mediated different groups governors former governors sometimes put everybody together [10:50] try and build confidence and we did our best up to you know and even the last one if my advice had [10:57] been heeded to and i screamed i shouted at that time and said look don't let us go and do this [11:03] convention the best thing for us at this point in time let us have a caretaker committee so you [11:08] advised against the battle convention i made a statement there was a there was a special committee [11:14] led by one of our elder statement and ambassador hasn't they came they saw me and with michael [11:20] gadoume as part of it senator kuri as part of it and i told them my advice is that we should not [11:26] go to that convention we should have a caretaker committee because it was clear that that was the [11:32] best solution for us and that if we did that we would have would have avoided this issue [11:37] or different facts and then after the election we can when it when it at most ways karma we now can go [11:44] Unfortunately, they did not heed that advice, and that's honestly... [11:49] What was your reason for telling them not to go to Ibadan? [11:54] Because I could see that we are not fully reconciled in going to Ibadan. [11:57] The purpose of going to Ibadan and any convention was for everybody on board [12:01] to have agreed on what we were going to do when we get to Ibadan [12:06] and met all the criteria that were being demanded for. [12:09] There was the issue of our congresses in some states that had not been done [12:11] that we need to do that. [12:13] There was also on how should we zone, who should take the position. [12:17] So when you go to those conventions, it should be affirmation. [12:21] You should have resolved behind the scenes who and who... [12:24] Why isn't it a failure of your own committee that should have reconciled? [12:27] You have a date ahead of time. [12:29] They trusted you to have reconciled the warring parties in the party [12:35] before going to Ibadan, but you couldn't achieve that. [12:37] No, no, no. We said don't go to Ibadan. [12:39] Don't go to that convention. [12:41] There was no point going to that convention. [12:43] Instead of going to a convention, let us form a caretaker committee. [12:46] If we had done that, we would not have this crisis. [12:48] But is it not taking sides by saying don't go to Ibadan? [12:50] No. [12:50] Because there is a side that doesn't agree with Ibadan. [12:53] So when you said don't go to Ibadan... [12:55] No, don't go to Ibadan was for the interest of the party. [12:58] You see, it's very... [12:59] Politicians and people tend to try and simplify things on whether it's Mr. Y, [13:03] if you're advised and sometimes seen because you are maybe supporting... [13:07] No, that was what was in the best interest of the party [13:10] to avoid what now came out after Ibadan. [13:13] Before there was... [13:13] After we were not in court. [13:15] There were no these kind of court cases against different parts of the party [13:18] until after Ibadan. [13:20] Governor Bouchie, Governor Shehima, [13:23] they spearheaded the Ibadan convention. [13:27] Although we saw Governor Fintiri of Ibadan Mala [13:32] who announced and said because of the situation, [13:36] he's reneging on some of the things that he saw. [13:40] But I mean, were you able to speak with these two governors [13:43] who were speaking? [13:43] Yes. [13:44] Were you able to speak with them in peace? [13:46] Yes. [13:46] Yes. [14:00] On Governor MacIntyre and on President Wheeler, [14:04] did they give you advice? [14:05] Yeah. [14:05] So, were you able to give people some kind of an insight into healthcare involving Ibadan? [14:09] No, we did not. [14:12] Why not? [14:12] Because there wasッgi Problem. [14:12] There was these phones on the way to the hospital with less than 20 health care. [14:13] Like a little ways of nose bath, I figured. [14:13] We asked Leighırmen at the end of the night. [14:14] She said one day that the stuff wasn't there, [14:14] as long as I get a room for as long as I drive, I'm ready to do it. [14:15] Was there no hope here for one man, all right? [14:15] Mohammed of Bauchi. [14:16] I think they were convinced [14:19] for whatever reason that that was [14:21] the best solution at that point in time. [14:22] It wasn't. And I'm not the only one that had that position. [14:25] Even the committee that was [14:27] set up by the Board of Trustees [14:29] also, in their recommendation, [14:32] suggested that they should not do that. [14:34] But their report was not considered [14:35] because the report was not in line [14:37] with those who had committed that [14:39] they had to go to Ibadan. [14:40] I mean, that is... [14:42] Where we are today, [14:44] where we are still trying to [14:46] make sure we bring people together, [14:48] I don't think that I want to [14:50] bask in who got it right, [14:53] who did not get it right. [14:54] Plenty of mistakes were made. [14:56] But where we are now is [14:57] how do we ensure that [15:00] PDP is available as a platform [15:04] for those lovers of PDP, [15:06] those members of PDP that want to contest [15:07] elections. And to do that, [15:09] we still have to continue [15:11] the reconciliation processes. [15:13] And that is why, as you said to me, [15:15] it's been a while. [15:16] I try as much as possible [15:18] when you are trying to arbitrate [15:19] not to put on blame [15:21] because you still need to bring [15:22] people together. [15:23] Even people who have made mistakes. [15:25] There's no point in where mistakes [15:27] have been made for us to have on it [15:30] as much because that does not help [15:31] peace, doesn't help unity. [15:33] So the point I'm making is that [15:34] there's no doubt about it that, yes, [15:36] if they had listened, [15:38] we would not be where we are today. [15:39] But that has happened now. [15:41] And we should not label... [15:42] What we should label is what is ahead of us. [15:43] Senator Taraki, [15:44] is it also [15:46] very true of your position [15:51] when you said, [15:51] don't go to Ibadan? [15:53] On the other hand, [15:54] you sent delegates from Kwarak [15:56] to Ibadan. [15:57] So if you said, don't go to Ibadan, [15:59] on the other hand, [16:00] you sent delegates to Ibadan. [16:01] Were you trying to play a balancing game [16:03] or what exactly? [16:04] We said, don't go to Ibadan. [16:06] They now told us. [16:06] We said, Ainec is not going to be there. [16:09] He's going to be an exercise in futility. [16:11] You're going to have a convention [16:12] that will come out of there [16:13] that will not have the legitimacy [16:14] to carry on further. [16:15] Then they reassured us that, [16:16] no, Ainec will be there. [16:18] So to show good faith, [16:20] just to again assure us [16:21] I'm not on this side or that side. [16:23] I'm on the side of what is good for the party. [16:25] One side had already clearly explained to us [16:27] that Ibadan was not an option, [16:29] which was the reality. [16:30] It's okay. [16:31] We'll give you the benefit of the doubt. [16:33] If you claim and you give assurances [16:34] that Ainec will be there [16:35] to conduct the primaries, [16:37] and I told those of our delegates from Kwarak, [16:39] you know, let's show good faith, right? [16:42] Go to Ibadan. [16:43] If Ainec is there to conduct that convention, [16:46] and they'll come out of that, [16:49] go ahead and vote. [16:50] If Ainec is not going to be there, [16:52] and you don't see Ainec there, [16:53] so to me, that action was an action [16:55] that truly shows [16:56] that it was not any vested interest of, [17:00] it was interest of what is right [17:02] in doing the right thing. [17:03] At the moment, of course, [17:04] Ainec were not there, [17:05] but still, that was the opportunity [17:06] it gave for us to pull back. [17:08] I said, look, Ainec not being here, [17:09] this is an exercise in futility. [17:11] Let us go back, [17:12] not do an elective convention, [17:14] but they went ahead and do that. [17:15] But that has happened. [17:16] It has happened now, [17:19] and we're now where we are. [17:21] And we now have another opportunity. [17:23] Because the key thing to all of us in PDP [17:26] is let us create a platform [17:28] that people who want to contest the election on PDP [17:31] have the opportunity. [17:32] So you're a member of the PDP? [17:34] I am a member of the PDP. [17:34] There are a lot of people who think [17:35] that maybe you are going to the ADC. [17:38] No. [17:38] Because you've been quiet, [17:40] and there are no doubts about your loyalty to the party [17:43] and your sincerity on where you were standing. [17:46] So people were saying, [17:47] oh, he's going back to the APC. [17:51] But those are the thoughts. [17:52] No. [17:53] I think my antecedents and my political career [17:56] show that I'm not a follower. [17:58] And I lead, [18:00] and I'm very clear where I stand. [18:02] I'm not somebody that will say something in the afternoon [18:04] and say something else in the evening. [18:06] What I believe in, I stand. [18:07] And I take whatever comes with that. [18:09] I've shown it, [18:10] whether it was in the Senate, [18:11] when I was a governor. [18:12] That was my political life. [18:13] If I'm going somewhere, [18:14] you know about you. [18:15] I'll come, [18:16] and I'll tell you this is where I stand. [18:18] The quietness, [18:19] maybe because unlike normal elective year [18:21] for the last eight years, [18:23] I'll probably have been contested. [18:24] In 2023, [18:27] I contested for president in 2019. [18:31] So maybe because 2027, [18:33] I agree with the principle, [18:36] and I was part of the party that said, [18:37] look, 2027, [18:38] let us leave it to the, [18:40] zone it to the south, [18:41] and let the south finish this eight-year period. [18:44] So maybe that lack of activity [18:46] has given the wrong impression. [18:47] But clearly, [18:48] when ADC started, [18:51] as you see, [18:51] I was not part of that. [18:52] And I made it clear [18:53] that I was not going to be there. [18:55] And Dito, [18:56] those who were suggesting [18:57] that I was going to go and join APC, [18:59] I also made it clear [19:00] that I'm going to stay here in PDP. [19:03] So clearly, [19:04] that's where I am. [19:06] So you'll be attending the national convention? [19:09] Yeah, I will be attending [19:11] the national convention. [19:12] And I think that all lovers of the party [19:16] should attend the convention. [19:18] For the purpose that this is the avenue. [19:22] I don't see members in your party. [19:23] Because someone like Tanitha Seriaki [19:25] said the party is dead and gone. [19:28] It's buried. [19:29] When you stay here in Abuja, [19:31] you might say that because of the noise [19:33] that comes out from the leaders [19:35] having their disagreement. [19:37] But when you go out to the states, [19:38] and you go into the grassroots [19:40] in different states, [19:41] you'll find that PDP is still very, very strong. [19:43] I take my state, for example, [19:45] because I'm not contesting an election. [19:47] And I said to all the aspirants [19:48] that are contesting, [19:49] stakeholders, [19:50] go and have a meeting. [19:51] And come back and tell me [19:52] which platform do you want. [19:54] You have an option of staying in the PDP as it is. [19:58] If you don't want ADC or PDP, [19:59] you can even consider any of the smaller parties. [20:02] Well, the first choice that comes to guests, [20:04] and they tell you from feedback from the grassroots, [20:06] is that people still have this love [20:08] and this affiliation for PDP. [20:10] So, yes, there is a lot of noise. [20:12] Yes, the inquiry. [20:14] I'm giving my state an example. [20:15] Okay, because I know the Oluya tendency. [20:18] The inquiry is still very strong. [20:19] I'm giving my state an example. [20:20] The Buki tendency is still very strong. [20:22] I'm giving my state an example. [20:23] So, I'm saying that even across the country, [20:25] PDP is still a household name. [20:29] Is it sellable? [20:29] It is sellable. [20:30] In Quora? [20:31] Very sellable. [20:32] Not only in Quora, [20:33] it is sellable across the country. [20:34] Because there are those who say in Quora, [20:37] the bruise of Otoge is still very evident. [20:43] And that's probably going to be more evident in 2027. [20:46] Well, you know very well that is not the case. [20:51] Where you ask the people in Quora that all the promises that was made [20:58] under the so-called Otoge was more propaganda vis-a-vis what are the United Nations. [21:03] Even within their own party, they will tell you that what we promised Quorans. [21:06] And Quorans will tell you that what we promised Quorans, [21:09] what were the allegations we set against myself and those in the party [21:14] and what it did to you today, you cannot compare the two. [21:17] You can't compare where the state is today and when we were there in office. [21:21] I mean, I don't even need to go far. [21:23] Let's just take the simple one of security. [21:25] Somebody was telling me the other day, I said, Quora, [21:28] they said before, you didn't do this, we didn't have this, but at least we're safe. [21:32] We were not dying. [21:34] Now in Quora, just over the last two years, about 400 people, [21:38] I'll quote an international institution that said that Quora State was one [21:43] of the safest states in Quora in the years. [21:45] All of a sudden, it has become an emerging area for terrorism and attacks. [21:50] This was not the Quora State. [21:51] The Quora that we know. [21:52] Could I be blamed on the government of Quora State? [21:55] The question is, at the end of the responsibility of lives and properties is on government. [22:02] I was a governor for eight years, my success as a governor for eight years. [22:07] If you go and look at the data of people, I mean, people that were killed in that period, [22:11] it was less than in the numbers of 10s and 15s, I'm talking about 200, 300. [22:15] Now, the question you say that who are you going to put the blame on? [22:18] Well, if you now compare even neighboring states, look at the data of neighboring states, [22:23] places like Kogo. [22:23] They're nowhere near Quora. [22:26] So, your own view and your own opinion. [22:28] So, what I'm saying is. [22:28] Of course, it has failed in Quora. [22:29] Of course, it has failed. [22:30] So, it's Otuya now. [22:32] What's the tendency? [22:35] Look, people have compared that. [22:36] Look, it's normal, 40 years. [22:38] If you look at the time of Ule, my dad, from the 70s to my time, that's about over 40 years. [22:46] It's normal in any environment. [22:47] People won't change. [22:49] For some, we just say, look, we've tried, we've tried. [22:52] And I think that was the propaganda. [22:53] But they've now got this. [22:55] And a lot of people have said, no, this is not what we bargained. [22:58] This is not better times. [22:59] These are worse times. [23:00] And that is what I believe is where we are in Quora State today. [23:04] And look, I'm 16 years out of office here in Quora State today. [23:08] They have not, if they were doing so well, they have not been able to drive one out of the place, [23:13] the presence and relevance and followership and the love of our people. [23:18] Because that's what you were popularly calling Ilorian Quora State. [23:21] When Buki steps into Ilorian today. [23:24] It's going to be fanfare. [23:25] It's always fanfare. [23:26] Because Ileloke, which was the popular grounds where your father, the late Saraki, had his supporters. [23:38] People would literally trek from far and wide, from Itakure, from anywhere you can mention in the lorry. [23:46] They would literally trek for the four yard and the six yard and the Apopop and the Amala and they would sit there. [23:52] And so Ileloke is still very viable. [23:54] People. [23:54] We still go there. [23:55] It was like a maker of some sort. [23:57] We still go there. [23:58] The current government had early advised and decided that to demolish the place, [24:04] thinking that that would stop people from going there. [24:06] But once residents, where I stay now, it's still the same place. [24:10] It's still, it's not the location. [24:13] It's the love and the force. [24:14] So Ileloke has moved from the area that that medical center has? [24:18] Yes, because. [24:19] Where has it moved to now? [24:20] It has moved back into the part in the D.R.E. where I stay, close to where I stay now. [24:24] That's where people still troop. [24:25] That's where we come. [24:26] But they thought that by demolishing the place with a big bulldozer and saying that I was thinking that would discourage people, it doesn't. [24:32] People still troop out, as you say. [24:34] The women will troop out. [24:35] They will stay there until early mornings of the day. [24:37] Because in and out of government, we're there for them. [24:41] I've been, I've not stopped once in being with the people in the state. [24:45] So people appreciate that. [24:48] Let me ask you, what faction of the PDP do you belong? [24:50] Are you of the. [24:51] You don't know. [24:52] There's no faction. [24:53] Are you of the Wicca faction? [24:54] No, no, no. [24:55] You are of the Makile. [24:56] No, no, no. [24:56] No, I don't. [24:57] I don't. [24:57] There's no thing about the faction. [24:59] We're on the right path of what is best for the PDP. [25:02] Having a platform that will be enabling people that want to contest on PDP platform to be able to contest. [25:10] That's the number one priority. [25:12] So that Nigerians truly have options. [25:15] Now, a lot, a few people that did leave PDP at the time, or who have left, were because there was this concern that, ah, what are you doing in PDP? [25:23] You're wasting your time because PDP is not going to be on the ballot paper. [25:26] And I think. [25:27] That whether it's, it's, ah, Governor Makinde, whether it's, ah, FCT Minister, everybody being priority, and I can, I can speak on, for both of us, that it's PDP must be on that, on that ballot paper so that people have the opportunity to run on PDP platform. [25:43] And that's, that is where. [25:44] Is that sincere from your heart? [25:45] That is very sincere. [25:46] Because there are those who say that, ah, you're not telling Nigerians the truth tonight. [25:51] No, that's not. [25:52] That you're a Wicca man. [25:53] You do Wicca's bidding at night, and you front PDP. [25:57] Yeah, during the day. [25:58] No, that's not true. [25:59] Are you not a Wicca man? [26:00] No. [26:00] I will not disown, I have a friendship with Wicca. [26:02] That does not draw you from doing the right thing. [26:05] Even the Wicca you're talking about, we all stand on the position that PDP must provide a platform for people to contest elections. [26:12] That, that does not take, that is where we are. [26:15] That is where most of us, we have options. [26:17] Everybody has options. [26:18] If truly we don't love PDP, we can go to another party to contest. [26:22] That is just propaganda. [26:23] Even in my state, people tell people they want to contest. [26:25] Ah, what are you doing there? [26:26] You're wasting your time. [26:27] You know. [26:27] So a lot of people, because of that, who want to contest? [26:31] And that is why some of us are excited that if we can push through with this recognition, [26:36] get our convention done this weekend, Sunday, Monday, have it attended by ENEC, [26:42] have the legitimacy of that convention, by which people are now confident, [26:45] ah, if this party now conducts primaries for us later in the year, I am good to run. [26:50] That is the message we want to get out of it. [26:51] Is that not hypocrisy? [26:52] Because this is the same group of people that are endorsing another presidential candidate of the ruling party [26:57] The group? [26:58] Mm-hmm. [26:58] That's right. [26:59] Ah, ah, ah. [26:59] You've not heard that? [27:00] That's... [27:00] That's... [27:01] The people who have said they are working for Bela Tinobu? [27:02] Are you endorsing Bela Tinobu too? [27:04] You know, I've said in my opening line, I'm not somebody that says things I'm not going to do. [27:08] Have you heard me? [27:09] Here, as of... [27:09] The president has been in power now for many years. [27:12] Nobody can tell you I've sat down like this and made people pray. [27:15] I'm not... [27:15] I don't... [27:16] But I say you go there at night. [27:17] Ah, no. [27:17] So I don't do things at night. [27:19] Yes. [27:19] So I'm not a night person. [27:20] If I'm going to do something, I come and I stick my chest out this wall and go. [27:23] You're not... [27:24] I'm not... [27:24] You're not working behind... [27:25] Ah, no, no, no. [27:26] ...for Bela Tinobu and the AAPC. [27:27] No, no, no. [27:28] You have to say your friendship with Wike is a certain... [27:31] Nah, you can't... [27:32] ...endorsement. [27:32] You can't know. [27:33] You can't extrapolate that. [27:34] My friendship is based on what are we going to do about this party. [27:39] And I've found they... [27:40] His style, his views might be different, but that PDP must not die. [27:44] PDP must be able to provide a platform for people to contest election. [27:48] That... [27:49] I've not in any way doubt that sincerity of where he stands. [27:53] That's what... [27:53] That's where he stands. [27:54] Now, how we do that within the party is what we must achieve. [27:59] But the fact that we cannot afford... [28:02] My strong view is that down in all the states, people want to contest on PDP platform. [28:07] Their concern is that is there an extra imputability in the sense that we go through this process [28:13] and at the end of the day they will say, [28:14] Oh, no, you don't have a probably elected NWC. [28:18] INEC was not at your convention. [28:19] INEC was not your primary. [28:20] So you are wasting your time. [28:21] If we can achieve that or that... [28:23] By that platform, over this Monday, Tuesday, we go to Convention Abuja. [28:27] INEC is there. [28:28] INEC endorses that working committee. [28:29] That working committee contests primaries. [28:31] I want to contest any position, House of Reps, Senate, President, whatever it is. [28:35] You go there and you can do that. [28:36] Then I believe that PDP would be able to... [28:39] So you think after Monday, the PDP will be out of the woods? [28:44] By the action of all of us. [28:46] Based on the sense of let us put away... [28:48] Which I'm hearing from outside. [28:50] Let's put away issue of litigation. [28:52] Let's accommodate ourselves. [28:53] Ask them that they should drop the appeal on... [28:57] And then let us all accommodate ourselves. [28:59] Have they all agreed to that? [29:01] It's an exercise that... [29:03] You know how this is. [29:04] It's not things that can be said, yes, no. [29:06] Part of that process is the convention. [29:08] Coming out of that process is... [29:10] See how much level of accommodation. [29:11] And then we now lead going on... [29:13] Because those who will talk about the terms of settlement, [29:16] terms of reconciliation. [29:17] Oh, you give me this, you give me... [29:19] But it seems that... [29:21] And look... [29:22] It's him. [29:24] Like him. [29:25] Wike is a master political strategist. [29:28] And it's perhaps something that he's done for so many years. [29:31] There are just a few of them who have done this all their lives. [29:34] The same with the president, Bela Tinobu. [29:37] Give it to them. [29:37] You may not like them. [29:38] But look, if you are engaging them in a political war, [29:41] you must be ready to fight that war. [29:43] And it does look like this other side have played into Wike's hands. [29:47] And he's got all the cards on the table for himself. [29:50] And you think that... [29:52] They are... [29:53] They're going to not be disagreeable in this sense. [29:55] Because at the end of the day, he's got all the cards on the table. [29:58] Let me... [29:59] Probably so, coming out of the outcome of the last election, the court case. [30:05] But I know also, in talking to him, right? [30:09] There's the spirit of also accommodating. [30:12] Right? [30:13] There are meetings that we're holding. [30:15] The meetings were held up to yesterday night. [30:17] The meetings are being held. [30:18] And you say that, okay, yes. [30:20] This side have won. [30:21] They've gone to a battle. [30:22] They have won. [30:23] But at the end of the day, [30:24] we all of us are agreeable in the position [30:27] that this party must provide a platform for people to contest elections. [30:31] And I thought there will be accommodations that will be made [30:34] in order to make that happen. [30:36] That is key. [30:37] You see, that aspect is what is so important for us. [30:40] The moment we do that and we create that platform, [30:43] there are people who left. [30:44] I mean, we've seen somebody already who left in one of the states, [30:47] who has now come back based on what he's seen. [30:50] He was... [30:51] He left the party, a former gubernatorial aspirant, [30:53] one of the North Central states. [30:54] Left our party. [30:55] He's now coming back. [30:56] There are people in the National Assembly that too left because they said, [30:59] ah, better leave, [31:00] because PDP is not going to have a platform for you to contest. [31:02] Now they're seeing the likelihood that we're doing a convention in the next two days, [31:06] likelihood that INEF could probably present, [31:08] the likelihood that it should be endorsed, [31:09] likelihood also that some of the other people who before were... [31:13] say they were fighting and say, [31:15] look, despite whatever our fights are, [31:17] we're on the same page on one thing. [31:19] PDP must be on the ballot paper in 2027. [31:22] But, I mean, of course, there are those who think, [31:24] that you're like, [31:26] were the ones who also decimated the PDP at some point, [31:29] one of those five governors who also abandoned the PDP, [31:33] and left, [31:34] and those who are accusing the minister of the FCT, [31:36] that he's a major force behind how PDP is today. [31:41] You say you are his friend, [31:43] and there are those who will say, [31:44] passively, [31:45] you are one of those that destroyed the party. [31:47] You take blame for that. [31:48] I spent all my time reconciling people and bringing people together. [31:52] How can I take blame? [31:53] But you once worked against him. [31:54] You left the party. [31:55] You left the party. [31:56] That's at that time. [31:57] You're talking about now. [31:58] The issues now are different from that time. [32:00] We're talking about, [32:01] you're talking about in 2011 and then 2015. [32:05] We're talking about now. [32:06] All I've done now is contribute in keeping this party together. [32:09] I know the effort that I've done in ensuring, [32:12] in keeping it together up to this point. [32:14] This matter will have grown much earlier on. [32:16] Unfortunately, [32:18] errors were made in going to Ibadan to do that convention. [32:22] Major errors. [32:23] Now, having done that, [32:24] we've now seen, [32:25] the court have now said, [32:26] we should never have done that. [32:27] Now, where do we go from that? [32:29] That's what we're saying now. [32:30] Let's do, [32:31] let's have another opportunity. [32:34] What should be in the mind of all of us, [32:36] is that there are people that want to contest from PDP. [32:38] There are people that want to vote for PDP. [32:40] We must not deprive them. [32:42] And ensure that we play into the hands that Dr. Aki. [32:45] Give me a moment. [32:46] Up next on the program, [32:47] will Senator Aki be running for president in 2027? [32:54] He's tried it a few times. [32:56] What is his ambition as we go into the next election cycle? [33:00] He's going to be telling us that he's going to be on the ballot. [33:03] He's fighting for the soul of the PDP. [33:05] But is it for his own ambition, [33:08] and his personal ambition? [33:10] We'll be finding out after this break everyone. [33:12] Come and sit down. [33:13] Thank you so much everyone for staying with us. [33:15] Senator Bukola Saraki is our guest tonight on the program. [33:19] Thanks so much indeed for your time on the program tonight. [33:22] Is Saraki for president in 2027? [33:25] No, [33:26] I'm not running for president. [33:27] I'm running for president in 2027. [33:29] You've always, [33:30] your younger self had always wanted to be president of Nigeria. [33:33] I do. [33:34] I do. [33:35] I will not lie if I say I don't. [33:36] But after the 2023 election, [33:41] and those of us who remember felt that both candidates [33:47] could come from any part of the country, [33:49] if you remember, in 2023. [33:51] Having Nigeria choosing to elect President Bula Tinubu from the south, [33:57] I think we felt that, [33:58] look, [33:59] it's only fair. [34:00] Let's allow the south, [34:01] my view, [34:03] to complete the eight years. [34:04] So when the party met last year to discuss what should the party do about zoning or presidential, [34:11] one of those that supported that party should zone presidency to the south in 2027. [34:17] And to align with that and to abide to that party's decision. [34:20] Because remember in 2023, [34:21] the final decision of the party was that the candidates could come from anywhere. [34:26] But in 2020, [34:27] this meeting we held said, [34:28] they should come from the south. [34:30] And I abide by that. [34:31] And I've sort of ruled out the issue of me wanting to contest in 2027. [34:36] And so you still think that the presidency in 2027 should go to the south? [34:41] I believe so. [34:42] I think so. [34:43] But I mean, [34:44] if you had that view, [34:45] why did you vote for Atikwu in 2023? [34:48] Because in 2023, [34:49] can't you remember I said that the party, [34:51] the final recommendation of the party allowed it for people to throw it open. [34:55] Was that fair? [34:56] If you see, [34:58] coming from a Buhari of eight years. [35:00] No, no, no. [35:01] You see, [35:02] don't look at it just from Buhari. [35:03] If you take even beyond that, [35:04] I mean, [35:05] if you do the mathematics of it, [35:06] at the end of the day, [35:07] honestly, [35:08] it's not cast in stone. [35:09] Because if you do the mathematics right from Obasanjo, [35:12] truly through the numbers, [35:14] there are less numbers that the north have been in power than the south. [35:17] No doubt about that. [35:18] That's, [35:19] let's not play. [35:20] That is that. [35:21] So when those that say that, [35:22] it's a personal opinion of theirs, [35:24] if they now choose to run, [35:25] the numbers support them in running. [35:27] If you look at how many more years you've had the southern president, [35:30] how many years you have a northern president. [35:32] But at the end of the day, [35:33] so having come out to 2023, [35:35] right, [35:36] and you've elected a president for four years, [35:38] and the party also coming out of that, [35:40] said, [35:41] look, [35:42] let's zone it to the south. [35:43] So I took the position that, [35:44] look, [35:45] I will work with that, [35:47] and I'm not going to run in 2027. [35:50] Senator Yocha Ayu was the chairman of the party until Damagum, [35:57] you know, [35:58] took over when the crisis got to a head, [36:01] and that those who say naturally the chairmanship of the PDB should still stay in the north center, [36:07] and that those who are mentioning your name become the leader and the national chairman of the party. [36:12] Well, [36:13] if you remember, [36:14] just as you say, [36:15] after you left, [36:16] the view and position of a lot of us was that the chairmanship should stay in the, [36:20] in the central. [36:21] And when the deputy chairman not took over Damagum, [36:25] the understanding was just for a short while, [36:28] and, [36:29] well, [36:30] as you, [36:31] as you saw, [36:32] a short while became more than a short while. [36:34] And in order not to create crisis there, [36:36] I remember we had a meeting in Senator David Mark's house, [36:38] all of us from north central. [36:39] It was a very heated meeting, [36:41] because some were of the opinion that we shouldn't go to court and demand that Damagum should, [36:47] you know, [36:48] should declare non-avoid, [36:49] and we should insist on north central. [36:51] Well, [36:52] knowing that, [36:53] again, [36:54] that will create crisis. [36:55] Some of us said, [36:56] look, [36:57] let us get a commitment that, [36:59] look, [37:00] at the next convention, [37:01] since IU's tenure was never completed by north central, [37:05] that we should be allowed to finish that tenure of IU. [37:09] And this was the agreement, [37:10] gentleman's agreement that we had. [37:12] So that was why, [37:13] if you follow up, [37:14] when this convention was coming up, [37:15] a lot of us insisted that, [37:17] look, [37:18] let's keep to gentleman's agreement that the chairman should stay in north central. [37:24] Is that still the agreement? [37:25] That's the agreement. [37:26] That's the agreement. [37:27] And if you follow up on Monday, [37:28] the chairman will come from north central. [37:29] Sunday and Monday, [37:30] the chairman will come from north central. [37:31] Who are those in the run for it? [37:32] I don't, [37:33] I don't have the details of the names of those. [37:34] I'm not in the run for it. [37:35] So definitely you're not in the run for it. [37:36] No, [37:37] no, [37:38] no, [37:39] I'm not in the run for it. [37:40] I want you clear. [37:41] Sometimes when we do these things, [37:42] you know, [37:43] I always remember, [37:44] I don't do those things for personal interest. [37:45] It's what is fair, [37:46] what is right, [37:47] what is the interest of the party. [37:48] So, [37:49] so for this time round, [37:50] right, [37:51] because I kicked against, [37:52] when, [37:53] in preparation of our Ibadan conference, [37:54] when they now decided to move the chairman to the west, [37:58] not west, [37:59] you're not being fair to us. [38:00] We, [38:01] this time was a gentleman's agreement to stay north. [38:03] So now, [38:04] under this new, [38:05] this convention coming up, [38:06] it has been zoned to the north central. [38:08] So I think a few people in north central have shown interest at who, [38:11] who want to come. [38:12] In the politics of Nigeria, [38:14] north central is a minority. [38:17] And there are a lot of things that has shortchanged. [38:21] You have Bukola. [38:23] You everybody, [38:24] Yoruba name from north central as a northerner. [38:27] And those of us who have that, [38:30] that kind of one leg, [38:33] the Yoruba man, [38:34] one leg in the north, [38:36] have always had a short end of the stick. [38:39] And north central has played that politics. [38:41] It's always a swing region for any election in the, [38:45] in the second, [38:46] third, [38:47] fourth republic. [38:48] That's what's always happened. [38:49] Similar thing in quiet state. [38:51] And that those who believe that, [38:53] that they've been marginalized, [38:55] and those marginalized group. [38:57] And one day I'm looking forward to a north central man becoming president, [39:01] president of Nigeria. [39:03] And same way, [39:04] a southerner, [39:06] Yoruba speaking man from quiet state, [39:09] becoming the governor of quiet state. [39:11] And that those who say, [39:12] where do you stand in quiet state? [39:15] 10, [39:16] 27, [39:17] where do you think the governorship should go from our own party? [39:22] We've taken a decision that led the best, [39:23] let the best person come out. [39:27] So we've made it open. [39:28] We have not zoned. [39:29] You've thrown it open. [39:30] We've thrown it open. [39:31] And it could come from anywhere. [39:32] It could come from anywhere. [39:33] Party game. [39:34] It could come from anywhere. [39:35] Let the best, [39:36] let the best candidate emerge. [39:37] But is that fair? [39:38] I think, [39:39] I think it is, [39:40] it is, [39:41] it is fair in the sense that as a opposition party, [39:45] not a ruling party, [39:46] when you're a ruling party, [39:48] there are certain things that you can consider. [39:51] But when you're an opposition party, [39:52] honestly, [39:53] it would be very unfair for you not to allow your best hand to come out. [39:57] And I think those, [39:58] those luxuries you have or being fed, [40:00] you can do when you're in a ruling party, [40:02] as an opposition party, [40:03] truly, [40:04] you must create opportunity. [40:06] You hear what they say today. [40:08] They say, [40:09] give us a Southern governor of a Christian extraction. [40:13] Do you think it's due for a Christian to become an acquired state governor? [40:16] A Christian has become acquired state governor. [40:19] I'm talking about the ninth, [40:20] fourth Republic. [40:21] So, [40:22] so, [40:23] so, [40:24] look, [40:25] listen, [40:26] I think just as it's happening at the national, [40:28] at the state, [40:29] not really as fast as we want it to. [40:31] Most of the younger people who go to vote now are looking beyond what you, [40:37] where you and me are talking about. [40:38] They're looking for capacity. [40:40] They're looking for ability. [40:41] I think if somebody is, [40:43] is, [40:44] is capable, [40:45] has the acceptability, [40:46] popularity, [40:47] whether it's Christians from the South, [40:49] it's from Illinois, [40:50] it's from the Central, [40:51] it's Muslim. [40:52] I think at the end of the day, [40:53] it's not, [40:54] it's not going to be a problem. [40:55] We're going to get into a time in this country. [40:56] I do not matter when that time comes when it is, [40:58] but we're getting to that point more and more that those are not the issues that will decide [41:03] what people who people will vote for. [41:06] So is the PDP, [41:07] uh, [41:08] uh, [41:09] posturing to have a presidential candidate in 2027? [41:12] Of course. [41:13] Does he have the capacity to do so? [41:16] Let us, [41:17] let us resolve the problems of being, [41:19] as I said, [41:20] the key issue now for us, [41:21] honestly, [41:22] because we've lost time. [41:23] We've lost, [41:24] we've lost, [41:25] because we've lost, [41:27] you're allowed your programs like yourself to be discussing about issue, [41:33] or whether we are going to be on the ballot paper. [41:35] That will not give confidence to people that want to contest election on your platform. [41:38] The sooner we can resolve this issue, [41:41] the sooner that anybody who wants to aspire to be Household Assembly member, [41:44] who wants to become president, [41:45] who wants to become senator, [41:46] who wants to become governor, [41:47] believes that I can do it on a PDP platform, [41:49] the sooner for us to address those issues. [41:52] So that is why a lot of this urgency for us. [41:54] Let's clear out all these issues. [41:56] and not make the party viable for those that seriously want it. [42:00] But we have lost time. [42:01] There's no doubt about that. [42:02] I'm glad that you're a medical doctor. [42:04] How can a patient in ICU want to run for Olympics? [42:09] And that's the situation with the PDP. [42:10] Your party is in critical condition. [42:12] No, it depends on what kind of... [42:14] You know, sometimes you go into ICU, [42:17] and what you are going for might be just like an acute infection [42:20] that it takes you just like 24 hours treatment, [42:24] and you're out of ICU. [42:25] Now, there are some that go into ICU with chronic illnesses. [42:29] Ours is not chronic, [42:30] because our major organs, [42:33] which is still using medical terminology, [42:35] which are our states, are functioning properly. [42:37] Our boards are functioning. [42:38] Our local government are functioning. [42:39] They're separately, all the parties are functioning. [42:41] Yes, we have problems, [42:44] but those are problems that can be addressed, [42:47] and that is why what we're doing... [42:48] So the point I'm keeping is showing you that, yes, [42:51] but it is not that we are dead or we're in ICU [42:54] or we are... [42:55] As we say in the medical term, [42:57] we're not for resuscitation. [42:59] That's not the case of PDP. [43:01] Well, the issues that we have can easily be treated, [43:03] and that's what we're doing. [43:04] Let's come out of this convention. [43:06] Have a convention. [43:08] Have an elected National Working Committee. [43:11] I next time sit down and say, [43:12] yes, this NWC is authentic, is valid. [43:15] NWC is the next standard. [43:17] I said, now I'm conducting primaries. [43:19] Now it's only like showing you want to contest for election. [43:22] You say, ah, no. [43:23] People before, I said, I don't go to PDP. [43:24] You will not be... [43:25] They're not going to be on the ballot. [43:26] Now you know they're going to be on the ballot. [43:27] Then your confidence comes back to contest. [43:29] Now, once you're on that platform, [43:31] that we're on that platform, [43:32] I'm telling you that when you now go to the people, [43:35] because what has been making the people worry before [43:37] was this propaganda that, oh, there's a plan, [43:40] that PDP is not going to be on the ballot paper [43:43] because there's a scheme. [43:44] PDP, we're all fighting for it to be on the ballot. [43:46] Once it gets on the ballot, [43:47] then it's now the popularity and the acceptability. [43:50] And I believe that that acceptability of the party, [43:53] it is this crisis that has pushed us back. [43:56] Once I accept it, it will increase our fortunes [43:58] going ahead into the election. [44:00] I'm worried that you look like, [44:04] and I use, because you're an Arsenal fan, [44:07] so I use the scenario of Arsenal. [44:09] You look like a party without a manager [44:12] that can lead you well into above the mid-table [44:16] of the Premier League. [44:18] And you look like your major players [44:20] are now having different kind of injuries. [44:23] And whether or not you can compete in the Champions League, [44:26] you have gone trophy-less since 2015 [44:28] that the APC had beaten your party. [44:30] You've gone bloody nose 2015, 2019, 2023, [44:34] and we're ending into 2027. [44:37] Does the party really have the kind of position, [44:39] the kind of candidate like good luck, Jonathan, [44:42] that people will be looking forward to? [44:44] The likes of Peter Ovidio had left your party. [44:47] Atiku Abubakar's of the world, [44:48] the tambourines of this world. [44:50] You've had generals, few generals, [44:52] political few generals that were in the PDP before now. [44:56] That could win elections for you, [44:57] that could go into the front line. [45:00] Batu Abolatinobu, that you know is a very formidable [45:03] political actor in Nigeria. [45:05] Do you have what it takes to be able to go into that election? [45:09] And considering the fact that a lot of people think that [45:11] with Mr. Wiki leaving the party [45:13] and he's working for the president, [45:15] the party is simply looking like a joke. [45:17] No. [45:18] You see a comment at the end of the results of the next election. [45:22] The PDP is too far back in history [45:25] in the minds of people. [45:26] For a swipe, for a party to be led to go away. [45:30] It's not possible. [45:32] I see your concerns, but at the end of the day, [45:35] and I'll be the first to admit that [45:36] this crisis, at the time it came, [45:40] of course, there were more people [45:42] who were already urging to come [45:44] and contest on the PDP platform [45:46] that got scared and got worried and they left. [45:50] Secondly, as you keep on comparing with football, [45:54] as I said, for you as a Chelsea supporter, [45:56] it took you 50 years before you could even win. [45:59] In modern football, we won everything. [46:00] It took you 50 years. [46:02] But you have been trophy losers. [46:03] Yeah, but that's not 50 years. [46:05] So even if we have lost an election before it has PDP, [46:09] we are coming back. [46:10] PDP, you can't... [46:12] Sometimes we... [46:12] Back to back for three election cycles? [46:15] Well, we are coming back. [46:17] And I believe that at the end of the day, [46:19] all these little, little parties at the end of the day, [46:21] you see that they will not sustain the time of this party. [46:25] They will not be there. [46:26] Right? [46:27] These issues that we've talked about, [46:29] I agree, but let us first get across this weekend. [46:33] Let us have a platform that people can contest on. [46:36] Then see what is going to happen in the other parties. [46:38] Give me a moment. [46:40] I'd like to know, [46:41] did Buhari and Bolatunubu betray you [46:46] from the deal you had in 2014? [46:50] Because I know you are one of those in the front line [46:53] and you sat in that living room and planned APC. [46:56] Did they betray you? [46:59] Give me a moment to answer that question after this break, everyone. [47:03] I'm seeing a lot of your comments on social media. [47:07] Once we told you that Senator Bukalasaraki was coming on the program. [47:12] There are quite a lot of them, [47:13] which I'm taking note. [47:15] Those who are asking with the recent court rulings on the convention, [47:18] how do you plan to unite the feudal leaders without bruising more egos? [47:22] How do you intend to connect with Gen Z millennial voters [47:26] to see who will see you as a part of the... [47:30] You mentioned what affections are yet to come. [47:33] Is the PDP actually terminal or just rebuilding? [47:36] Looking back at your time as SP, [47:38] what one thing would you do differently [47:39] to handle the executive legislative budget standards? [47:42] Are you officially coming back for a specific role [47:46] or just playing the role of a party elder or reconciler? [47:50] A user on X says, [47:53] with the current friction in the PDP, [47:57] how do you plan to unite a party [47:58] without being seen as a part of the PDP? [47:58] How do you plan to unite the party without being seen as a part of the PDP? [47:59] As a power broker, [48:01] just looking for a personal ticket. [48:03] On Facebook says, [48:05] the demographic has shifted since your last run. [48:08] How do you intend to bridge the gap with the Gen Z millennial? [48:12] Niger Pundit on X says, [48:14] looking back at the budget standoff during your time as SP, [48:16] what would you do differently? [48:18] Chidi Okafo on Facebook said, [48:20] if you are returning to active politics, [48:22] what is the specific unfinished business [48:24] from your time in the Senate that is your top priority? [48:27] Lara underscore the great on X says, [48:29] what is the one... [48:29] Lara underscore the great on X says, [48:29] one thing you will do differently if you were given the chance to lead again so many questions [48:34] that people are asking i'll try to put those questions together in my earlier but one that [48:41] i wanted to answer specifically in 2027 yeah are you going to be on the ballot no i'm not are you [48:46] going to be senate i'm not i'm not going to you're going to just sit back and look at the election [48:50] your eyes are on quara you want to win quara by all means it's not by it's not by i want to be [48:55] required by all this it's been a focus um um that um i've been closer to the people over the last [49:02] few years i've not been in government and i've seen the pain they've gone through i've seen the [49:06] mistakes they've made i've seen the fact that you know they haven't got the kind of government they [49:11] expected and and and the hardship they've gone through the insecurity they've gone through [49:16] and and as a responsible uh personal leader someone who's who's also humble for what the [49:21] opportunity the state has given me that i i i hold on my responsibility [49:25] to do our best to see that they have the best type of governance which i believe that pdp [49:30] through our candidates can provide for you criticize the security situation in quara state [49:34] do you have an answer to it i believe that based on the period when i was the governor this the [49:41] situation was not like this and i believe that times have changed no but what i don't i don't [49:46] i disagree with that in those in those times even the issue of the book around was even more rampant [49:51] than now i don't think the time has changed i think what has happened even if this is this is [49:55] even if you're going to read about it [49:56] for most of the security doc correspondences and newspapers and articles they will tell you [50:02] what has really changed in quara is that most of those bandits have looked at places of least [50:07] resistance and less guarded and and found quara uh that place available and basically that is what [50:14] has happened and just because you know the government the government just kept the eye [50:17] off the ball that's that is really what what has happened but quickly on the scale of performance [50:22] not rhetoric yeah what grade would you give president bolatunabu [50:26] well that's a difficult question that's a difficult question because there are many [50:31] there are many factors and there are many issues there are things that they [50:35] i would say they're not doing badly on the things that they're not doing well at all on [50:38] and and for example even if you stay from even just a basic idea of this concept of a one-party [50:45] state that that is not good for democracy i've spoken about that i've been very strong about [50:50] that that you know we must have a multi-party state and and and it's easy for the apc to say oh [50:57] you know what you want us to do people want to come and join our party no i i don't i don't think [51:02] but i don't i don't mean it's the week it goes on to end us president would you support him in 2027 [51:09] wiki and bukola saraki we have things that we have commonly agreed on how do we save this party [51:16] i as i have not taken the position have i said on the show about a very damaged bulletin [51:21] but i have not taken a position on that i'm waiting the primaries that are coming i'm going [51:25] to see the pandemic that will come out of our party as he was growing for president [51:29] and at that time in time decide what i'm going to want to do i just have 20 seconds i'm being told [51:34] but the question are a lot of people yeah where you betrayed by balatinobu that's not also fair on [51:42] and president i'm able to because those of you you know i know that in those days of [51:47] former president's administration he didn't have that sea that they claim he had where was my own [51:54] concern was that as far as my issue with administration was that i was doing what i [51:59] felt was the interest of the country as the president of the senate and for doing those [52:07] things i was now persecuted but i met in who was not part of those decided that that took [52:12] the senate and and implemented going to code of conduct or of a robbery or a forgery of the [52:19] national assembly that was as the executive part of government so so from that point of view i'll [52:24] say but i wanted to you you know because i don't know that we need to come back [52:31] so much to talk about senator bukala sara key for my senate president for my corner [52:35] governor thanks so much indeed for that i appreciate it thanks god that's our show [52:38] for tonight everyone many thanks for watching i'm sure okay god bless nigeria