…As Turaki faction heads to S’Court
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has urged leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to end ongoing legal battles over the party’s disputed national convention and instead organise a fresh convention in line with electoral guidelines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Saraki made the appeal yesterday, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which upheld earlier judgements nullifying the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan between November 15 and 16, 2025.
Recall that the appellate court affirmed decisions of the Federal High Court which invalidated the convention and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcome, including the emergence of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as national chairman.
Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the party failed to comply with constitutional and electoral requirements before conducting the convention, noting that proper notice was not served on INEC and that valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states prior to the event. The court also dismissed the appeal filed by Turaki and members of the party’s National Working Committee and awarded ₦2 million in costs against the appellants.
Reacting to the ruling, Saraki advised party leaders to accept the judgment and immediately focus on organising a new national convention that complies with INEC’s timetable. According to him, waiting for a possible verdict from the Supreme Court could waste valuable time and jeopardise the party’s ability to nominate candidates for the 2027 elections.
He warned that prolonged litigation could create uncertainty around the validity of tickets issued to candidates contesting under the PDP platform. “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”, Saraki stated.
The former governor of Kwara State urged aggrieved leaders to set aside personal interests and focus on the survival and unity of the party, noting that bruised egos and internal disagreements should not undermine the aspirations of members seeking elective offices. Saraki also emphasised the need for dialogue and compromise among stakeholders to organise an inclusive national convention capable of producing widely accepted leadership.
However, the call for reconciliation comes as a faction of the PDP loyal to Turaki rejected the Appeal Court ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Supreme Court. In a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group said it had already directed its legal team to immediately file an appeal before the apex court, insisting that the legal battle over the party’s leadership crisis was far from over.
The faction described the judgement as one that could impose “untold hardship” on party members nationwide if implemented and said consultations were ongoing with key organs of the party on the next steps. “The battle to rescue our party from the hands of government agents masquerading as opposition leaders must be fought, and we are determined to do so and win”, the statement said.
The crisis surrounding the convention has deepened existing divisions within the PDP, with rival blocs — including those linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike — locked in a prolonged struggle over the leadership and direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party.
During the disputed Ibadan convention, several party officials allegedly linked to Wike were suspended over claims of anti-party activities. Those affected includedc former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature.
