Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the party’s 2024 national convention and work towards organising a fresh convention in line with electoral guidelines.
Saraki made the appeal on Tuesday through a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Head of his media team in Abuja while reacting to Monday’s judgment of the appellate court concerning the validity of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan last year.
He advised party leaders to see the judgment as an opportunity for introspection and an end to ongoing litigations over the convention.
According to him, the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leaves little time for further legal battles, warning that waiting for a possible ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria could jeopardise the party’s ability to meet deadlines for the nomination of candidates.
“My 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 added that continued uncertainty over the legal status of the convention could affect the validity of tickets issued to candidates nominated on the PDP platform.
Saraki stressed that one of the core responsibilities of a political party is to provide a platform for members seeking elective offices, warning that internal disputes should not undermine that objective.
He urged aggrieved leaders within the party to put aside personal interests and prioritise the collective interest of the PDP, particularly with a view to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Senate President noted that while some leaders might feel dissatisfied with the court’s decision, statesmanship requires rising above personal grievances for the greater good of the party.
“My concern is how to save and preserve this great party for the benefit of the numerous members who have hinged their aspirations on the PDP platform,” he said.
Saraki explained that many grassroots members across the country were already mobilising support and investing resources with the hope of contesting elections on the party’s platform, including positions in state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, governorship and the presidency.
He warned that continued litigation by party leaders could undermine the aspirations of these members and weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
Saraki therefore urged PDP leaders to embrace dialogue and work towards organising an all-inclusive national convention that would comply with INEC regulations.
“The only viable option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss and work towards holding an all-inclusive national convention at a time that will comply with INEC guidelines,” he stated.
The former Senate President added that adopting a spirit of compromise and inclusiveness in electing national officers would help restore stability within the party and prevent further internal disputes.
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