Supreme Court verdict a chance for PDP unity, says Saraki

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to treat last Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling as an opportunity to mend internal divisions and reposition the party for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Saturday by his media office and signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said the party’s leadership, elected during the March 29, 2026 national convention, should regard the judgment as a “challenge” to begin immediate reconciliation and rebuilding efforts.

He maintained that the court’s decision, which nullified the Ibadan convention, supported his earlier stance that an interim arrangement would have been a better option to prevent drawn-out disputes and internal friction.

According to him, “the national convention in Ibadan should never have been held, but that instead an interim arrangement should have been put in place,” adding that his earlier warnings were meant to avert a prolonged crisis within the opposition party.

Saraki noted that he had repeatedly shared this position with key stakeholders and also presented it before a committee of elders led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu when he was consulted.

Reacting to the apex court’s ruling, he said, “There is now only one PDP, and we should all unite and work for the success of our party across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

He stressed that attention within the party should shift from apportioning blame to rebuilding, stating that “the focus should not be on who wins and who loses. Those who lost in court should see their return to rebuild the party as another victory.”

Saraki further explained that the legal decision had resolved lingering questions about the party’s leadership, affirming the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara as the legitimate leadership “both in law and by the regulatory authority, the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

He called on members who had been involved in legal battles to return and contribute to strengthening the party, emphasising the need to focus on the broader goal.

“Once again, I call on our colleagues who have been in court for several months to retrace their steps. We should all try to see the bigger picture,” he said, describing the PDP as a “viable platform” for electoral participation in 2027.

Saraki also congratulated members of the National Working Committee and urged them to prioritise unity, discipline, respect for the rule of law and commitment to democratic ideals in the build-up to the next general elections.

Supreme Court verdict a chance for PDP unity, says Saraki