ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to end ongoing court battles over the party’s disputed national convention and instead focus on organising a new one in line with electoral guidelines.
Saraki made the appeal on Tuesday in a statement issued by his media office following the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal which nullified the PDP convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.
Reacting to the ruling, the former Governor of Kwara State said the party should respect the decision and urgently begin preparations for another convention that complies with the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
“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 warned that prolonging legal battles could weaken the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the priority of party leaders should be protecting the interests of members planning to contest elective offices under the PDP platform.
“If our motive is to see that we do not jeopardise the chances of our numerous members who want to contest elections on our platform, then this consideration should be the priority of all of us in the party,” he said.
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Saraki further noted that political parties exist primarily to provide platforms for candidates seeking elective positions and should not allow internal disagreements to undermine that responsibility.
“At this stage, egos have been bruised. However, leaders should rise above personal interests and serve the larger common good,” he added.
He also urged party stakeholders to engage in dialogue and compromise in order to organise an inclusive national convention that would produce widely accepted leadership.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had earlier upheld the judgement of the Federal High Court which invalidated the PDP national convention held between November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan.
The appellate court ruled that the convention failed to meet constitutional requirements and barred INEC from recognising its outcome, including the emergence of Taminu Turaki as national chairman.
The court also held that proper notice of the convention was not served on INEC and that valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states before the gathering.
The panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam dismissed the appeals filed by Turaki and members of the National Working Committee and awarded N2 million in costs against the appellants.
The disputed convention had also suspended several party officials, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and other allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities.