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• Say reconciliation must be based on principle •Stop litigations to enable party field candidates for 2027 polls –Saraki, Natasha
By Chinelo Obogo, Ndubuisi Orji and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
In the aftermath of the Court of Appeal judgment, which nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan last November, leaders of the party are weighing options on how to reposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), yesterday, held an expanded meeting with Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde of Bauchi and Oyo states, respectively, and members of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) to evaluate the judgment and decide on a course of action.
The meeting was also attended by chairmen of state chapters of the PDP, lasted for more than two hours, before adjourning to 11 am today for further deliberations.
The Court of Appeal, in a judgment, on Monday, nullified the PDP National Convention, which produced the Turaki led National Working Committee ( NWC) and upheld the judgments of the Federal High Court, which directed the opposition party not to go ahead with the exercise until it has complied with extant laws.
The outcome of the convention polarised the PDP with loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, constituting a 13 National Caretaker Committee headed by Abdulraham Mohammed to run the affairs of the opposition party, pending conduct of its own convention.
National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, who spoke to journalists, after the meeting held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, noted that the parley focused on how to ensure that the PDP does not die and that the opposition party is on the ballot for the 2027 polls.
Ememobong said “number is that the PDP will not die. Number 2 is that the PDP will be on the ballot. Discussions will continue tomorrow. And we are certain that firmer approaches to achieving this will be arrived at. PDP will not die. PDP will be on the ballot.”
The party spokesman, while responding to question on if the Turaki-led NWC is ready to reconcile with loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, noted that such reconciliation must be on the principle that the party will not be an appendage of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that the NWC is open to any reconciliation that will enable the party to function effectively as an opposition party that is alive to the yearning of the citizens.
“The first time that came out of the mouth of Turaki (after his election as national chairman) was that we must reconcile. But the reconciliation must be on the basis of principle. The principles to make the party survive.
“The PDP is an opposition party currently. For any reconciliation that makes it an appendage of the ruling party is not a reconciliation. But any reconciliation that allows the party to survive, to allow the PDP function as an opposition party that aligns with the wishes of the people, we are in support. “The reconciliation must be based on the principles that the PDP does not die
Immediately we find ourselves at that common ground. We don’t want to be an opposition party that is not an appendage of the ruling party.”
A source privy to deliberations at the meeting told Daily Sun that the PDP leaders are weighing the option of challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court or constituting a caretaker committee that will navigate the opposition party through the 2027 polls.
“Discussions are continuing at different levels. But the options are whether to challenge the judgment in Supreme Court or set up a broad based caretaker committee to lead the party to the 2027 election. While the option of the Supreme Court is on the table, the judgement may not come in good time. But leaders across board are talking,” the source stated.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, while speaking before the meeting went into a closed door session, noted that the judgment was an opportunity for the opposition party to re-organise and start afresh.
The BoT chairman, who declared that “no man is God”, noted that the party needs to find a solution to its present challenges.
“We need to find a solution. We need to talk to the judgment. In fact, the Board considers the judgment an order for the party to begin again. An order for the party to begin again. We respect the law. So, this is an opportunity for us to begin again. And that’s why we are all here.
“Before I came in here this afternoon, I, as an Igbo man, I made contact with the father of this party, the late Alex Ekwueme and he said he is very proud of what we are doing and that we should continue to fight.
“We must work in accordance with the Constitution. And you can never go wrong if you abide by the Constitution and the rule of law. The whole idea is to edge us out, but we will find our way in. We should, in these meetings, keep an open mind and see how we can get ourselves back on track.”
Makinde admitted that it was a challenging period for not just the PDP, but also for the country’s democracy. The Oyo governor, who stated that the party’s travails is a passing phase, noted that himself and the Bauchi governor were not deterred by the fact that they are only remaining governors in the PDP.
“I have been talking to people of knowledge, people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country. And none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today. I can only say we are only two (governors ) remaining, but we are not bothered.
“I can say personally, and on behalf of my chairman, that when the story of this period is told, when the story of democracy in Nigeria is told, they will find us on the side of the people. So please, I can only say that this period will also go away. It will pass away.
“So whatever role we want to play as individuals and collectively as a party, we must be conscious of what history is going to record against or for us for this period. And I will leave you with a short remark. I’m sure it’s from the Holy Book.
“I don’t know where it is in the Quran, but in the Bible, I know where it is. And what I want to say is that weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy cometh.”
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Turaki said in the aftermath of the Appeal Court judgment, it has become imperative for PDP leaders to evaluate the situation and come up with workable plans that will save the opposition party and the country’s democracy.
“So, there can never be a better time than now, especially when you look at the compacted nature of the 2026 electoral act that has been passed into law by the National Assembly.
“I pray and hope that at the end of the day, after our meeting, we will take briefing from our team of lawyers, who are highly respected Senior Advocates of Nigeria, that will give us sufficient information to enable us to take decisions that will be in the overall interest of our party.”
•Stop litigations –Saraki
Former Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has appealed to leaders and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bury the hatchet, accept the Court of Appeal verdict and move towards holding a fresh national convention that will comply with all INEC guidelines.
Saraki in his reaction to Monday’s judgement on last year’s national convention of the party held in Ibadan advised all the leaders of the party that it was time for introspection and for them to see the Appeal Court decision as an end to all litigations.
“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. 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.
“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,” Saraki stated.
•Akpoti-Uduaghan: Let’s close ranks, prepare for 2027
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put aside internal disputes and focus on reconciliation following the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria concerning the party’s national convention.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, in a statement yesterday, said the ruling should serve as a turning point for the party to rebuild unity, strengthen its internal structures and reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She stressed that the PDP must now move beyond protracted litigation and redirect its energy towards reconciliation and party rebuilding.
“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a democratic party that believes in the rule of law, we must now shift our focus from litigation to reconciliation and rebuilding. The strength of our party lies in unity, collective purpose and our shared commitment to providing Nigerians with credible leadership.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that continued legal battles could jeopardise the political ambitions of loyal party members preparing to contest future elections under the PDP platform.
She noted that political parties exist primarily to provide opportunities for citizens seeking to serve their communities through elective offices, cautioning that internal wrangling among party leaders should not undermine such aspirations.
“Our members across the grassroots — those aspiring to serve in State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, governorship offices and even the presidency — must not become casualties of prolonged disagreements among leaders. Their aspirations and the future of our party must remain paramount.”
The senator further appealed to party leaders to demonstrate statesmanship and a willingness to compromise in resolving lingering disagreements.
“At moments like this, leadership demands that we rise above personal interests and focus on the greater good of our party and our nation,” she stated.
She added that the PDP, given its long history in Nigeria’s democratic journey, must preserve its legacy by strengthening unity within its ranks and also called on party stakeholders to begin preparations for an inclusive and credible national convention that would comply fully with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This is the time to come together, engage constructively and organise a national convention that reflects the unity, inclusiveness and democratic values of our party,” she said.
“Nigerians are watching, and we must demonstrate that the PDP remains ready and capable of offering the leadership the country needs.”
She reaffirmed her commitment to the unity and progress of the PDP and urged party members across the country to remain hopeful as the party works to reposition itself for the political battles ahead.
