Ex-Envoy and a Senior figure Femi Abodunrin Says Saraki is Free to Rejoin APC as Kwara Chapter Debates His Political Future

A former Nigerian envoy and senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Abodunrin, has said former Senate President Bukola Saraki remains free to return to the ruling party, describing him as a founding member whose political roots are firmly tied to the APC’s formation. His remarks come amid growing speculation over Saraki’s alleged engagements with APC power brokers, even as he remains a card-carrying member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abodunrin’s Position and the Question of Party Roots

Abodunrin, who previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Cameroon, stated that Saraki’s political history within the APC places no formal barrier to his return should he choose to do so. According to him, the APC is a broad-based political platform that recognises its founding members, regardless of their current affiliations.

He argued that political realignments are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic system, noting that the APC itself was born out of mergers and defections from multiple political tendencies. From this perspective, Abodunrin maintained that Saraki’s potential return would be consistent with the party’s history of internal diversity and political accommodation.
While stressing that Saraki has not formally announced any decision to rejoin the APC, Abodunrin’s comments have added weight to ongoing discussions within Kwara State’s political circles about the former Senate President’s next move.

Kwara APC’s Concerns Over ‘Double Politics’

In contrast to Abodunrin’s conciliatory tone, the APC leadership in Kwara State has expressed reservations about Saraki’s recent political posture. Party officials have accused him of engaging in what they describe as “double politics” — presenting himself as a leading opposition figure within the state while allegedly maintaining cordial relations with influential figures in Abuja.

The Kwara APC has argued that such a stance raises questions about loyalty and political sincerity, particularly as the party continues to consolidate its hold on the state following its electoral victories. For some party leaders, Saraki’s alleged behind-the-scenes engagements are seen as an attempt to hedge political bets ahead of future contests.

These accusations reflect deeper tensions in Kwara politics, where Saraki’s long-standing influence remains a sensitive issue, even years after the APC displaced his political structure in the state.

Saraki’s Silence and the Wider Political Implications

Saraki himself has not publicly confirmed any intention to defect from the PDP or rejoin the APC. His silence has fueled speculation, with analysts suggesting that he may be carefully weighing his options in a shifting national political landscape.

Observers note that any move by Saraki to return to the APC would carry significant implications, both for Kwara State politics and for opposition dynamics at the national level. It could potentially alter alliances, recalibrate internal party power structures, and influence future electoral strategies.

For now, Abodunrin’s statement underscores a broader reality of Nigerian politics: party lines remain fluid, and political history often leaves doors open, even when relationships have previously fractured.