Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has tied his continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to what he described as his responsibility to the people of Kwara State, while setting grassroots organisation as a key test for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Saraki spoke in Ilorin on Thursday at the PDP Kwara South Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting, where he told party members to take direct responsibility for their polling units and strengthen structures across the state.
“My staying back in PDP is for my people in Kwara,” Saraki said, while explaining his decision to stay with the party amid changes in the political landscape.
He said his objective was to help the PDP grow in the state and bring what he described as the dividends of democracy closer to people in rural communities.
Saraki also presented grassroots mobilisation as central to the party’s chances in 2027. He called on members to secure their bases, build active polling-unit structures and maintain unity as the election approaches.
“Hold your base and polling units. That is what the party requires from everyone. Our collective commitment and resolve will do the job. Ensure you do everything possible at your polling units,” he said.
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The former Senate president said the PDP should study recent governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states and draw lessons from the outcomes. He identified organisation, voter contact, and effective mobilisation at polling-unit level as areas requiring greater attention.
“We have lessons to learn from Osun and Ekiti governorship elections. We must understand what happened, learn from it and apply those lessons.
“Every member has a role to play, and we must ensure that our structures at the polling-unit level are strong, active and ready,” Saraki said.
The meeting brought together the PDP’s Kwara South stakeholders, including the party’s governorship candidate, Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu; his running mate, Rev. C.O.S. Fawenu; state chairman Isa Adamu Bawa; party elders and other National Assembly candidates.
Saraki praised the stakeholders for their commitment and sacrifices and expressed confidence in the candidates produced under the PDP platform. He said they could provide purposeful leadership and prioritise the interests of residents if elected.
He declared confidence in the party’s prospects, saying the combined strength of its candidates and grassroots organisation could deliver victory in 2027.
“The next Governor of Kwara State shall be the one flying the PDP flag,” he declared.
Saraki also told party members that their contributions would be recognised, saying those who worked to strengthen the political organisation would have a place in its future.
His remarks place the PDP’s campaign preparation on a distinctly local footing, with polling units identified as the immediate battleground for translating party support into electoral strength.
