In the midst of the escalating leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on all warring factions to bury their differences and accept the recent Court of Appeal judgment.
This is as he urged them to focus on organizing a fresh national convention that complies with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Saraki’s appeal comes as the party faces one of its most turbulent periods, with two factions holding parallel meetings and preparing for a crucial national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 in Abuja.
Reacting to the Appeal Court judgment concerning the party’s national convention held in Ibadan last year, Saraki stated that the ruling should definitively mark the end of internal litigations that have threatened to cripple the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by INEC, it is obvious that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court decision. Otherwise, we would not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates,” Saraki said.
He warned that continued legal battles could create significant uncertainty over the validity of PDP candidates for future elections, potentially undermining the party’s chances at the polls. According to him, the primary purpose of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates seeking to serve the people.
“One of the key essentials of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates seeking to serve the people by contesting elections. We should not defeat this purpose. The only option open to all of us is to end all litigation and work with the arrangements that are on the ground for holding a national convention within the INEC timetable,” Saraki added.
Wike-Backed Faction Moves Forward with Convention Plans
Saraki’s plea for unity comes just as one faction of the party, believed to be backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, intensified preparations for the proposed national convention.
The faction, operating under the leadership of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee led by acting national chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, on Tuesday inspected the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Abdulrahman, alongside the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and other officials, told journalists that the visit was to ensure adequate arrangements are in place for the convention.
“You can see for yourself, and that is why we are here this afternoon, to look at the venue of the national convention that is coming up on 29th and 30th March and to also examine the possibility of putting things in place before the date,” Abdulrahman stated.
He asserted that the recent Court of Appeal judgment had clarified the leadership situation, validating the authority of the caretaker committee to organize a smooth and credible convention.
“With the outcome of the Appeal Court judgment, individuals across the federation and those in the diaspora now know that we have a party at hand… We are willing to do everything possible to ensure that we have a smooth national convention like never before,” he added.
Senator Anyanwu further reassured party members and aspirants that they had nothing to fear regarding the legitimacy of party processes, insisting that the caretaker committee remains the recognized leadership until a new National Working Committee is elected.
Governor Makinde: “This Period Will Pass”
Meanwhile, as the Wike-backed faction moves ahead with its plans, leaders from another bloc within the party, including former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), held an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) to deliberate on the implications of the Appeal Court judgment.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s governors, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged the party’s difficulties but expressed unwavering optimism that the crisis would eventually be resolved.
“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said.
The governor noted that the current political landscape facing the PDP is unprecedented. However, he urged leaders to remain steadfast and conscious of their role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic history. Drawing from scripture, he concluded on a hopeful note.
“This period will pass away. As the Holy Book says, weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy comes,” the governor added, urging party members to remain on the side of the people.
Natasha Joins Call for Reconciliation
Echoing the sentiments of reconciliation, the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, also urged party leaders and stakeholders to embrace peace following the Appeal Court judgment.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the lawmaker urged party members to see the ruling as an opportunity to restore unity and strengthen internal democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a democratic party that believes in the rule of law, we must now shift our focus from litigation to reconciliation and rebuilding. The strength of our party lies in unity and collective purpose,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that prolonged legal disputes could undermine the aspirations of loyal party members intending to contest elections at all levels, from state assemblies to the presidency.
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