Saraki urges PDP to convene fresh convention after Appeal Court ruling

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to urgently convene a fresh national convention following the Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the party’s disputed convention held in Ibadan.

Saraki also urged stakeholders in the opposition party to halt ongoing litigations and unite in order to stabilise the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Senate President made the appeal in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

On Monday, the Court of Appeal nullified the outcome of the controversial national convention conducted by the PDP in Ibadan last year, throwing the party’s leadership structure into fresh uncertainty.

Reacting to the ruling, Saraki warned that prolonged legal battles could complicate the party’s ability to meet the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the nomination of candidates.

“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,” Saraki said.

He stressed that uncertainty surrounding the legality of the party’s structure could cast doubt on the validity of tickets issued to candidates contesting on the PDP platform.

Saraki added that the primary responsibility of any political party is to provide a credible platform for members seeking elective offices, warning that prolonged internal disputes could undermine that purpose.

He urged party leaders to rise above personal interests and focus on preserving the future of the PDP.

“From the beginning, some of us warned and advised about the dangers of travelling this route. We knew it could imperil the party,” he said.

Saraki acknowledged that the legal battle may have bruised egos among party leaders but emphasised that statesmanship requires putting the collective interest of the party ahead of personal ambitions.

He warned that continued litigation could jeopardise the aspirations of thousands of PDP members preparing to contest elections on the party’s platform, including aspirants for state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship positions and the presidency.

The former Senate President therefore called for dialogue among all factions within the party to organise an all-inclusive national convention that complies with INEC guidelines.

“There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding,” Saraki added.

The Ibadan convention held last year had triggered internal disputes within the PDP, with some stakeholders challenging its legitimacy in court, deepening divisions within the opposition party.

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