Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never betrayed him during his past legal troubles, and he stressed that the presidency should stay in the South in 2027.
Saraki made the comments while speaking on Politics Today, addressing ongoing claims that Tinubu played a part in his prosecution, including the Offa robbery case.
“That’s not fair on President Tinubu,” he said.
He pointed out that during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Tinubu did not have the level of influence many people believed he had.
“Tinubu didn’t have the say that they claimed he had. He was not part of the people who took the decisions regarding my persecution,” Saraki said, referring to both his Code of Conduct Bureau trial and the Offa robbery investigation.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Saraki ruled out running for president, insisting that the South should keep the presidency.
“No, I’m not running for president in 2027,” he said.
The former Kwara governor admitted he still has presidential ambitions but said fairness and political balance must come first.
“I do… I would not lie if I say I don’t. But after the 2023 election… having Nigeria choose to elect President Bola Tinubu from the South, it is only fair to allow the South to complete eight years.”
He added that he agreed with his party’s zoning decision, which supports keeping the presidency in the South.
“Presidency should remain in the South in 2027,” Saraki said.
Saraki also explained why he backed Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, pointing out that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had allowed an open contest at the time.
“Because in 2023… the final recommendation of the party allowed it to be open for all,” he said.
He further argued that historical power rotation shows the South has held the presidency more often than the North, and that the party’s current position reflects post-election realities.
