Bukola Saraki Fires Back at Critics: “PDP Still Rules the Grassroots, APC Just Holding the Centre by Threads”

Bukola Saraki boldly declared, “When we go to our state, the PDP is still well accepted at the grassroots level. It’s not like Nigerians have rejected the party,” igniting fierce conversations within and outside the People’s Democratic Party. Speaking at the PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, the former Senate President confronted narratives suggesting that PDP has become irrelevant in Nigeria’s current political landscape.

He stressed that the party’s presence remains “unshakeable” at ward and local government levels across key states. According to Saraki, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has only “usurped” federal power, while PDP remains the “soul of the people” in communities that matter most for real electoral strength. His words seemed aimed at both opponents and PDP defectors seeking greener pastures.

Internal Rot or Political Strategy?

Bukola Saraki acknowledged that the PDP has faced internal challenges, but insisted these issues are not unique. “All parties have their own cracks. Ours is just being amplified because we still matter,” he said. Critics within the PDP have long blamed lack of discipline and leadership for the party’s struggles in presidential and gubernatorial contests.

However, Bukola Saraki reframed the turmoil as signs of democratic maturity, arguing that the party’s openness to dissent separates it from the “cultish loyalty” in APC. He called on stakeholders to shift from “ego battles” to strategic rebuilding, warning that the party risks falling into permanent opposition if its internal wounds are left to fester.

APC’s Popularity is Superficial, Bukola Saraki Claims

Bukola Saraki lambasted the APC’s grip on power as “superficial and media-engineered,” accusing the ruling party of depending on propaganda and elite manipulation rather than genuine support. He claimed that Nigerians at the grassroots are disillusioned with the Tinubu-led administration due to economic hardship, inflation, and increasing insecurity.

He added, “The real measure of a government’s popularity isn’t in Twitter trends or photo ops — it’s in the price of food, the safety of communities, and access to jobs. And in these metrics, APC is hemorrhaging support rapidly.” His remarks are likely to deepen tensions between both parties as 2027 approaches.

2027: A Political Reset or Repeat Cycle?

With 2027 inching closer, Bukola Saraki’s statements appear to serve a dual purpose — reaffirming PDP’s relevance and signaling a possible comeback. Though he didn’t confirm whether he would seek office again, his reemergence in party affairs suggests growing ambition and dissatisfaction with current PDP leadership inertia.

He warned that without unity, the PDP could lose its window of opportunity to capitalize on growing public resentment against the APC. “This is not the time for silence or fence-sitting,” he charged, urging former governors, ministers, and founding members to engage in what he called “deliberate political reawakening.”

North-South Dynamics in PDP’s Next Move

Bukola Saraki did not shy away from addressing the sensitive issue of zoning and regional dynamics in the PDP. While he reiterated his belief in inclusive politics, he subtly suggested that zoning alone cannot win elections. “You can’t win if you ignore performance and just offer rotation. Nigerians want competence now more than ever,” he stated.

Insiders believe Saraki is laying the groundwork for a realignment that would prioritize credibility over tribal arithmetic. His speech may signal that PDP’s 2027 ticket — whether Northern or Southern — must emerge from strategic consensus, not sentimental entitlement.

PDP Must Reclaim Its Voice on National Issues

Saraki criticized PDP’s silence on critical national debates, accusing party leaders of being “too passive” while the country burns. He cited the fuel subsidy confusion, insecurity, and educational collapse as missed opportunities for the PDP to reclaim moral leadership in national discourse.

“Our job isn’t just to prepare for elections every four years — it is to speak for Nigerians who feel unheard every day,” he said. He urged PDP lawmakers, governors, and communicators to flood the public space with alternative visions, claiming that APC has benefited from the vacuum created by PDP’s timid opposition.

A Call to Conscience or a Comeback Trail?

Whether Saraki’s speech was a genuine call to conscience or an early bid to reclaim influence, one thing is clear — he’s not staying on the sidelines. His statement has sparked debates within political circles, with some hailing it as a bold intervention, and others dismissing it as self-serving nostalgia. Regardless, the conversation he started may become the spark the PDP desperately needs to reset its political fortunes before 2027.