Saraki urges unity, says S’Court verdict ended PDP leadership crisis

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party to use last Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment as a turning point to reunite the party and refocus on winning the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on Saturday issued through his media office, signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki advised the PDP leadership elected at the March 29, 2026, national convention to treat the verdict as a “challenge” to immediately begin rebuilding and reconciliation within the party.

He argued that the court decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention, also vindicated his earlier position that the party should have adopted an interim arrangement to avoid prolonged legal disputes and internal tensions.

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,” stressing that his earlier warnings were aimed at preventing a prolonged crisis within the opposition party.

Saraki recalled that he had consistently communicated this position to party leaders and also reiterated it before a committee of elders led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, the Wakili of Adamawa, when consulted.

Following the Supreme Court 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 added that discussions within the party should now focus on rebuilding rather than blame, noting 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 said the legal resolution had cleared uncertainty around the party’s leadership, stating that the ruling affirmed the Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara-led National Working Committee as the recognised leadership “both in law and by the regulatory authority, the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

He maintained that the PDP must position itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections, urging aggrieved members to return and contribute to stabilising the party.

“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, adding that the PDP now stands as a “viable platform” for electoral participation in 2027.

Saraki also congratulated the National Working Committee, urging its members to focus on building “a united party, one driven by discipline, adherence to the rule of law, commitment to democratic principles, and ultimately victory in the 2027 polls.”