Court Ruling: Saraki urges PDP to end dispute in court, convene new national convention

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called on leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop the spate of lawsuits arising from the dispute over the party’s national convention and instead work towards holding a new convention that complies with election regulations.

Saraki made the appeal on Tuesday via a statement posted on Facebook and signed by Bukola Saraki Media Office Head, Yusuph Olaniyonu. The statement was issued in response to the High Court ruling upholding an earlier ruling canceling the PDP national convention to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.

Reacting to the ruling, the former governor of Kwara State urged party members to accept the court decision and immediately begin preparations for the new convention in accordance with the schedule set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I personally think that the Court of Appeal has already decided. However, with the revision of the schedule carried out by INEC, it is clear that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision,” said Saraki.

He warned that a prolonged legal dispute could weaken the prospects of party members who wish to participate in the PDP platform elections in the 2027 elections.

“If our motive is to ensure that we do not jeopardize the chances of many of our members who wish to contest the election on our platform, then this consideration must be a priority for all of us in the party,” he added.

Saraki stressed that the main purpose of a political party is to serve as a vehicle for candidates seeking office and warned that internal strife should not be allowed to thwart that purpose.

“One of the important things about a political party is to provide a platform for candidates who want to serve the people by participating in elections. We must not defeat this goal,” he said.

He also appealed to aggrieved figures within the party to address personal grievances and focus on the broader interests of the PDP.

“At this stage, egos have been damaged. However, leaders must transcend personal interests and serve the common good,” he said.

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Saraki further underscored the need for consultation and compromise among stakeholders to hold a convention that reflects broad participation and produces leadership acceptable to the various party blocs.

“The only option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss and work towards holding an inclusive national convention at a time that is in line with INEC guidelines,” he said.

The call follows the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld the previous decision of the Federal High Court of Nigeria canceling the PDP national convention held in Ibadan between November 15 and 16, 2025.

In its ruling, the appeals court prohibited the Independent National Election Commission from recognizing the results of the convention, including the emergence of Taminu Turaki as the party’s national chairman.

Apart from electing a new National Working Committee, the convention has also dismissed several allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities.

Those affected by the suspension include the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Advisor, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature.

The crisis stemmed from several lawsuits filed by dissatisfied party members arguing that the convention violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Election Law, and the PDP constitution.

Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the main judgment, ruled that the party failed to fulfill the constitutional requirements required before holding a convention.

The court found that INEC did not receive valid notice of the convention as provided by law and also noted that proper congresses were not held in more than 14 states prior to the meeting.

The appeals panel also rejected the appeal filed by Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee, affirming that the Federal High Court had the authority to hear the matter.

Additionally, the court awarded costs of N2 million to the applicants.

The decision is the first appeal against the controversial convention, which has previously resulted in conflicting decisions from courts in Abuja and Ibadan over the past few months.