Saraki breaks silence on Tinubu, Wike and PDP crisis: Why the Former Senate President says he’s not working for APC

Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has moved to shut down growing political speculation surrounding his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, insisting that neither his past legal troubles nor his current political interactions should be misread as a sign of alignment with the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

In fresh remarks that are already drawing attention across Nigeria’s political space, Saraki said it would be “unfair” to accuse Tinubu of orchestrating his prosecution during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He also firmly rejected claims that his friendship with Wike means he is secretly working for Tinubu or supporting a second-term agenda for the president. The comments come at a sensitive time for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is battling internal divisions and struggling to project unity before future primaries and the 2027 contest.

Saraki Says Tinubu Had No Hand in His Buhari-Era Prosecution

Speaking during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Saraki addressed one of the most persistent claims in Nigerian politics: that Tinubu may have influenced the legal and political pressure he faced while serving as Senate President under Buhari.

Saraki dismissed that narrative. According to him, it would be inaccurate and unfair to place Tinubu at the centre of those events. He said that during Buhari’s administration, Tinubu did not hold the kind of operational control some critics now suggest. Saraki argued that the decisions leading to his prosecution were made and executed by the executive arm of government, not by Tinubu.

The background to the controversy dates back to September 2015, when the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed charges of alleged false asset declaration against Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The case became one of the defining political battles of the 8th National Assembly era, especially as Saraki’s emergence as Senate President was widely seen as a rebellion against preferred power blocs within the ruling party at the time.

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“My Friendship With Wike Doesn’t Mean I Work for Tinubu”

Saraki also used the interview to respond to a second wave of political rumours — the claim that his cordial relationship with Nyesom Wike signals a covert partnership with President Tinubu or even a quiet endorsement of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition.

The former Kwara State governor rejected that interpretation outright. He said he is not someone who operates in secrecy and stressed that if he ever makes a political move, he does so openly. Saraki added that his relationship with Wike should not be used as evidence that he is “working for Tinubu.” Instead, he said their interactions are tied to efforts around the survival and rebuilding of the PDP.

This clarification is significant because Wike, though still associated with the PDP, has repeatedly taken positions viewed as friendly to the APC and President Tinubu. That has fueled suspicion within opposition circles and intensified scrutiny of any PDP heavyweight seen engaging with him. Saraki’s remarks appear designed to reassure party loyalists that his role remains tied to internal reconciliation rather than cross-party collaboration.

Saraki’s Comments Come as PDP Battles a Deepening Internal Crisis

The timing of Saraki’s intervention is politically important. The PDP has been grappling with a prolonged leadership and legitimacy crisis, with rival factions competing for control of the party’s structure and direction.

Recent reports indicate that the Tanimu Turaki-led bloc, backed by PDP governors, has been pushing a fresh reconciliation process to unite aggrieved factions. That process has been described as an effort to restore confidence ahead of party conventions and future electoral preparations. At the same time, court-related complications involving factional leadership have underscored how fragile the party’s internal balance remains.

Saraki, in his comments, signaled support for efforts to keep the PDP viable as a credible opposition platform. He reportedly emphasized that those who truly believe in the party should work to strengthen it rather than abandon it. He also highlighted the importance of a legitimate convention and transparent processes that can reassure members and aspirants ahead of primaries.

Why Saraki’s Latest Political Positioning Matters for 2027

For many observers, Saraki’s latest statements are not just about clarifying old controversies, they are about positioning ahead of 2027.

As one of the PDP’s most recognizable national figures and a former Senate President with deep political networks, Saraki remains a major actor in any discussion about opposition realignment, coalition-building, or presidential calculations. By publicly distancing himself from claims of APC sympathy while also refusing to blame Tinubu for his past prosecution, Saraki is projecting a careful image: opposition-minded, but measured; critical of political narratives, but not reckless in assigning blame.

That balancing act may prove crucial as Nigeria’s political class inches closer to the next general election cycle. With the APC consolidating around its national structures and the PDP still searching for cohesion, every statement from figures like Saraki is likely to be read as a signal.

What Saraki’s Remarks Mean in Plain Terms

In simple terms, Saraki is making three major points:

1. Tinubu did not orchestrate his prosecution under Buhari, at least in his own account.
2. His friendship with Wike is not proof of loyalty to Tinubu or the APC.
3. He still wants the PDP to survive and remain competitive ahead of 2027.

That message is likely aimed at both supporters and critics: supporters who fear elite defections, and critics who believe every opposition engagement with Wike must equal alignment with Tinubu.

FAQ: Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tinubu, Wike and PDP Crisis

1. Why is Bukola Saraki trending today?

Bukola Saraki is trending because he publicly stated that President Bola Tinubu had no role in his prosecution during the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He also denied claims that his friendship with Nyesom Wike means he is secretly working for Tinubu or supporting APC plans for 2027.

2. What did Bukola Saraki say about Tinubu?

Saraki said it would be unfair to link Tinubu to his prosecution under Buhari. According to him, Tinubu did not have the level of control some people now claim he had during that administration, and the decisions came from the executive arm of government.

3. Did Tinubu prosecute Bukola Saraki under Buhari?

Based on Saraki’s own recent comments, no. Saraki said Tinubu was not among those who took or implemented the decisions that led to his Code of Conduct Tribunal case.

4. What case was Bukola Saraki facing under Buhari?

Saraki was prosecuted over allegations of false asset declaration after the Code of Conduct Bureau filed charges against him in September 2015 at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The case became one of the most high-profile political-legal battles of the Buhari era.

5. What did Saraki say about Nyesom Wike?

Saraki said his friendship with Wike should not be interpreted as proof that he is working for Tinubu or the APC. He explained that their relationship is tied to shared concerns about the future and survival of the PDP.

6. Is Bukola Saraki working for Tinubu?

Saraki has explicitly denied that he is working for President Tinubu. He said he is someone who acts openly and does not engage in secret political dealings.

7. Is Bukola Saraki supporting Tinubu’s 2027 re-election?

There is no public statement from Saraki in the cited reports showing support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. In fact, he specifically rejected the idea that his relationship with Wike should be seen as an endorsement of Tinubu.

8. Is Bukola Saraki leaving the PDP?

There is no indication in these reports that Saraki is leaving the PDP. His latest comments suggest the opposite: he said the PDP must remain a viable platform and backed efforts to reconcile factions and strengthen the party.

9. What is happening in the PDP right now?

The PDP is facing an ongoing leadership and factional crisis. Different blocs have disputed legitimacy, while reconciliation efforts are underway to unify the party ahead of convention activities and future primaries.

10. Why is Saraki’s statement politically important?

Saraki is a former Senate President and a major national opposition figure. Any public clarification from him on Tinubu, Wike, or the PDP is politically significant because it may shape how party loyalists, undecided politicians, and 2027 aspirants interpret future alliances. His comments are being read as an attempt to reassure PDP supporters while maintaining political balance.

11. Could Bukola Saraki play a major role in the 2027 elections?

While no formal declaration has been made, Saraki remains one of the most recognizable names in opposition politics. His continued relevance in PDP reconciliation, national media appearances, and elite political discussions suggests he could still be a major figure in coalition talks, party strategy, or future contests.

12. Where did Bukola Saraki make these comments?

Saraki made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed questions about Tinubu, Wike, and the internal situation in the PDP.