.As Saraki urges PDP leaders to end litigation, conduct fresh convention
.Turaki-led faction holds emergency meeting
By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike has applauded the Court of Appeal judgment on Monday voiding the 2025 Peoples Democractic Party, PDP, National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, Wike, who described the appellate court’s judgement as a “victory for the rule of law” and a decisive blow against impunity, noted that the ruling served as a vital reminder that political parties must operate within the boundaries of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Noting that beyond “internal affairs”,
Wike dismissed arguments that the convention dispute was strictly an internal party matter.
Highlighting the legal distinction, he stated: “When you say you are violating the constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC Guidelines, it is no longer within the realm of internal affairs. The court must come in and ask, ‘why would you violate the laws”
He also referenced Supreme Court precedents to support his stance, insisting that while leadership choices are internal, adherence to statutory provisions is a matter of public law.
With party primaries scheduled to begin in April, the Minister urged aggrieved members to set aside their egos to prevent further damage to the party, warning that pursuing a further appeal at the Supreme Court would only waste time and weaken the PDP’s position as a formidable opposition.
“Leave your personal interests. Let us sit down and see how we can forge ahead.
“The law has spoken. This is an opportunity for the PDP to look inwards and say ‘enough is enough”, the Minister urged.
Confirming the party’s next steps, Wike announced that a National Caretaker Committee was now officially recognised to manage party affairs.
He revealed that the committee had already secured a venue near the National Stadium in Abuja to host a fresh national convention on March 29 and 30, 2026.
The Minister noted that the venue was chosen as an alternative to Eagle Square, which is currently slated to host the APC national convention during the same window.
Meanwhile, amid the raging crisis in the PDP, a Former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, has appealed to all leaders and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party, to end the ongoing litigations over the party’s disputed national convention and focus on organising a fresh one in line with electoral guidelines.
Saraki made the appeal in a statement posted on his X handle and signed by the Head of the Bukola Saraki Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, yesterday.
He was reacting 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 him, the PDP must accept the verdict and move swiftly to organise a new national convention in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In this vein, “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”.
Besides, Saraki 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”, he said.
…Some PDP Leaders From Both Sides In Court
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
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.
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.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi (the right) to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing, as it claimed in its appeal.
The court further awarded the sum of N2 million as costs against the PDP (Turaki group) for filing a frivolous appeal. The court will hear other Judgements and rulings of the party.
In another development Turaki-led PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, yesterday convened an emergency meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
The meeting was attended by key party figures, including Tanimu Turaki, Umar Damagum, ex-PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, ex-Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, among other party chieftains.
Wabara, it was gathered described Monday’s judgment by the Court of Appeal as “an opportunity for the PDP to begin afresh”, signaling a new chapter for the party.
The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction, which claims leadership of the party following last year’s convention in Ibadan, where members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were elected.
Following the judgment the Turaki-led faction announced that its legal team would immediately approach the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement.
