Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has appealed to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to immediately halt all litigation arising from the controversial November 15–16, 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, following Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment nullifying the exercise.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media office head Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the appellate court’s ruling which upheld the Federal High Court’s restraint on INEC from recognising the convention’s outcome as final and binding. He cautioned the faction led by Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki against filing further appeals to the Supreme Court, warning that prolonged litigation would jeopardise the party’s ability to meet INEC deadlines for candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Saraki stated: “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. 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.”
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The former Senate President emphasised that the primary function of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates to contest elections. He urged all factions to accept the reality on ground and work toward organising a new, all-inclusive national convention that complies fully with INEC guidelines and the party’s constitution.
“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 said.
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He called on party leaders to put aside personal interests and prioritise the collective future of the PDP, adding: “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 is no time for continued bickering and grandstanding.”
Appeal Ruling Recap In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed the PDP’s appeal for lacking merit. The court held that:
The PDP violated constitutional provisions and failed to serve INEC with valid notice as required by law.
Congresses were not held in more than 14 states as stipulated.
The matter was not merely an internal party affair, and the trial court rightly assumed jurisdiction.
The PDP acted in contempt by proceeding with the convention despite a subsisting restraining order.
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The court awarded ₦2 million in costs against the appellant (Turaki group).
The ruling effectively invalidates key decisions taken at the Ibadan convention, including the emergence of the Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The PDP remains deeply divided between the Turaki-led faction (backed by some governors and the former acting national chairman Umar Iliya Damagum) and the Mohammed-led group (aligned with suspended former chairman Iyorchia Ayu and other stakeholders). The appeal court verdict is likely to intensify calls for reconciliation or trigger fresh legal fireworks.
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Saraki’s intervention is seen as a significant push for unity, given his stature as a former party chairman and one of the PDP’s most influential figures.
The party’s next national convention is now scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, with INEC yet to recognise any faction as the authentic leadership pending resolution of all disputes.
This is a developing political story.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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