10th March 2026, NewsOrient, Politics, Governance And Development, News. Photo Caption/Credit: Wikipedia

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has appealed to leaders of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and stakeholders, to resolve the ongoing litigations over the party’s disputed National Convention and “focus on organising a fresh convention in line with electoral guidelines.”

Saraki, who was a former Governor of Kwara State, made the appeal on Tuesday in a statement posted on his X handle and signed by the Head of the Bukola Saraki Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

The statement is Sarkis reaction to the Court of Appeal judgment that upheld earlier rulings invalidating the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.

According to Saraki, “the party must accept the verdict and move swiftly to organise a new national convention in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

Explaining his reasoning, Saraki said: ““My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (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.

He warned that continued litigation could jeopardise the chances of party members seeking to contest the 2027 general elections on the PDP platform.

Also, uncertainty will continue to hang over the validity of the tickets issued to those nominated on 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.

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. It is for these reasons that I believe 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.

“From the beginning, some of us have warned and advised about the dangers of travelling this route. We know that it will only imperil the party. However, since we have found ourselves here, our focus should be on how to get back on the path of full recovery, stability, and progress.”

He also called on aggrieved leaders within the party to set aside personal interests and focus on the collective future of the PDP.

“I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and a leader is the ability to rise above the din and ignore personal interests to serve the larger common interests and public good.

Thus, some leaders of the party who did not get what they desired from the courts should now consider the bigger interest of the PDP in the 2027 elections and beyond. This is a more noble, dignified, and responsible position to adopt than to embark on a journey that leads to nowhere.

“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. There are many Nigerians in the grassroots who have been investing their time and resources in mobilising support for the party because they want to contest elections on the PDP platform. These are members who want to contest elections into the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and the presidency.

“Feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise, undermine, and defeat the aspirations of these honest, devoted, and committed party members by depriving them of the opportunity to subject themselves to the verdict of the electorate. That is what these leaders will be doing if anybody continues with the litigation.

“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. What should be paramount to all of us is to adopt a give-and-take attitude that will ensure we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention. We should let the sleeping dog lie peacefully. There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding,” Saraki stated.

NewsOrient recalls that in a unanimous judgement, the Court of Appeal in Abuja recently described as “frivolous appeal,” and dismissed an appeal by the PDP against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the National Convention planned by the PDP for Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16 2025.

In it’s judgement, the appeal court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.

First, the court held that “the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have delivered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

On the issue of jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case on the grounds that the issues involved were solely the internal affairs of the party.

Another issue determined by the appellate court is the issue of locus standi. Here, the court held that “the plaintiffs had the locus standi (the right) to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights.” It also held that the, party, PDP, was not denied fair hearing, as it claimed in its appeal.

The court awarded the sum of N2 million as costs against the PDP (Turaki group) “for filing a frivolous appeal.”

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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