Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has dismissed allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was involved in his past legal challenges, while reaffirming that Nigeria’s presidency should remain in the South in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, Saraki addressed lingering claims linking Tinubu to his prosecution, including the Offa robbery case and his trial before the Code of Conduct Bureau.
“That’s not fair on President Tinubu,” he said, rejecting assertions of political betrayal.
Saraki explained that during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu did not wield the level of influence often attributed to him and was not part of decisions concerning his legal ordeals.
“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,” he stated.
On the 2027 presidential election, Saraki ruled out any intention to run, although he acknowledged having personal political ambitions.
“No, I’m not running for president in 2027,” he said.
The former Kwara State governor stressed that national unity and political balance should take precedence, arguing that the South should complete a full eight-year tenure following Tinubu’s election in 2023.
“I would not lie if I say I don’t have the ambition. But after the 2023 election, having Nigeria choose a president from the South, it is only fair to allow the South to complete eight years,” he added.
Saraki also noted that he supported his party’s zoning position during internal discussions, which now favours retaining the presidency in the South.
“Presidency should remain in the South in 2027,” he maintained.
He further defended his support for Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, explaining that the Peoples Democratic Party adopted an open contest at the time.
According to Saraki, the party’s current stance reflects post-election realities and the need to uphold Nigeria’s informal power rotation principle between the North and South.
