Saraki shares his surprise at Tambuwal’s decision to step down for Atiku, highlighting internal PDP tensions.

Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, has denied Aminu Tambuwal’s assertion that he informed him (Saraki) prior to withdrawing from the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party and endorsing Atiku Abubakar instead.

Saraki, through his Media Office statement reacting to Tambuwal’s interview on Arise TV, denied that he was ever informed by Tambuwal of his intention to withdraw for Atiku.

Everyone at the PDP presidential convention was caught off guard when Tambuwal declared his withdrawal from seeking to be endorsed as the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 general elections, a move which even surprised the former President of Senate.

“I need to clarify the situation. Upon seeing Tambuwal’s return to the podium after his initial address in which he solicited votes from delegates, I was taken aback and confused by what was occurring. His sudden withdrawal from the race and subsequent encouragement for his supporters to vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar caught me off guard.”

While I consider Tambuwal to be my friend, he must own up to his decisions and actions. To the best of my knowledge, he never broached the subject of pulling out from the race with me.

“I never considered pulling out of the competition, nor was I involved in the decision-making that resulted in his withdrawal and endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”