Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party will weather its current internal crisis, insisting that the opposition party is far from extinction.
Saraki spoke on Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the PDP Youth Summit organised by the state chapter to mark his 63rd birthday.
Reacting to widespread claims that the party was in disarray, Saraki said disagreements within the PDP were not unusual and would ultimately strengthen the party.
“Many people say our party is in shambles. I disagree. Sometimes, it is better to disagree than to agree and stagnate. I believe the PDP will succeed,” Saraki said.
He disclosed that concrete steps were already being taken to resolve the crisis, revealing that the two factions within the party were in talks with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“As I speak, the two factions of the PDP are meeting with INEC. I want to assure members that our differences will be sorted out very soon,” he said.
Saraki also challenged political leaders to prioritise youth empowerment, stressing that Nigeria’s future depended largely on the opportunities created for young people.
“We must play our roles in creating opportunities for the youths to build this country,” he said.
Addressing the youth at the summit, Saraki urged them to move from the sidelines into active participation in nation-building.
“You are our future. We believe in you, and you must believe in yourselves. You must be participants in nation-building, not spectators,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Kwara State Chairman of the PDP, Issa Bawa, said the summit was organised in honour of Saraki, whom he described as a leader with a clear vision and remarkable political achievements.
Bawa noted that the PDP remained committed to youth and women inclusion, adding that the party had consistently created space for their participation in politics
Delivering the keynote address, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, urged Kwara youths to take ownership of the political process and prepare themselves for leadership through discipline, education and service to society.
According to him, youth participation remained critical to democratic growth and good governance.
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by Bam Omisore as Chairman of the occasion, described Saraki as a national leader whose influence and mentorship transcended Kwara State.
He encouraged young people to participate actively in politics, community development and governance, urging them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and remain engaged in the democratic process. He also cautioned against allowing themselves to be used for violence or negative activities.
Earlier, the Kwara State PDP Youth Leader, Comrade Odunjo, called for unity, mobilisation and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We, the youths, must be united and strategise, preparing for opportunities ahead of 2027,” he said.
The summit, organised by the Office of the State Youth Leader, was held at the Arca Santa Arena, Ilorin, and attracted party leaders, youth stakeholders and supporters from within and outside Kwara State.
Held under the theme, ‘Building the Future, Repositioning Kwara: Youth for Leadership Participation and Democratic Growth,’ the programme was described by organisers as a platform to mobilise young people for leadership and democratic development.
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