Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to end all legal battles arising from the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo.
Saraki made the appeal on Tuesday while reacting to the judgement of the court of appeal, nullifying the national convention.
In a ruling on Monday, the appellate court upheld the judgment of a federal high court, which restrained the PDP from conducting the national convention.
A three-member panel of the court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja federal high court to entertain the suit.
Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the PDP violated constitutional provisions regulating the conduct of a convention and failed to serve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a valid notice as required by law.
The court also held that congresses were not held in more than 14 states, as provided by law, before the event.
Onyemenam ruled that the matter raised by those who filed the suit at the high court should not be regarded as internal affairs of the party and that the lower court was right in assuming jurisdiction and granting an order restraining the electoral umpire from accepting or recognising the outcome of the national convention.
In a statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of his media office, the former senate president said the party must accept the verdict of the appellate court and focus on organising a new national convention to avoid jeopardising its chances of fielding candidates for the 2027 elections.
Saraki cautioned the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki against challenging the verdict of the appeal court at the supreme court to prolong the litigation.
“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,” Saraki said.
“Otherwise, we would not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates. 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.”
The former senate president said the key function of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates to run for elections.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Saraki asked party leaders to put aside personal interests and prioritise the collective future of the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls, urging members dissatisfied with the court verdict to consider the party’s interests.
“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,” Saraki said.
Saraki advised PDP leaders to meet and agree on holding an all-inclusive national convention that complies with INEC guidelines, adding that there is no time for continued bickering and grandstanding.
