Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the National Caretaker Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have urged party stakeholders to embrace reconciliation following the Court of Appeal judgment that invalidated a factional national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

The convention, which produced a factional leadership led by Tanimu Turaki, was nullified by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria. The Turaki-led group has since approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria to challenge the ruling.

Despite the ongoing legal action, the PDP spokesman, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party was extending a hand of fellowship to the Turaki faction while proceeding with plans to hold a fresh national convention scheduled for March 29–30 in Abuja.

In a statement titled “A/Court Judgment: Let’s Bury the Hatchet, Stop Litigations to Enable Party Fill Candidates for 2027 Polls,” signed by the Head of the Saraki Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki called on party members to accept the appellate court’s verdict and work towards organising a new convention in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Saraki emphasised the need for stakeholders to view the judgment as an opportunity to end internal litigations and focus on rebuilding the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the most practical step is for party leaders to engage in dialogue and organise an all-inclusive convention that meets the requirements of the electoral body.

The former Senate President, who previously chaired the PDP Reconciliation Committee that mediated among party leaders during internal crises, noted that although some members had earlier warned against the developments that led to the current situation, the priority now should be to accept the reality and move forward in unity.

“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 and we should not defeat this purpose; i 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.

“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,” he stated.

Addressing reporters in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP NCWC, Hon Jungudo Mohammed, stressed that despite various past issues, the committee has an unwavering commitment towards building a stronger, united, and more viable party that will continue to serve the interests of Nigerians.

“The committee noted that the recent Appeal Court judgment affirming the committee as the authentic and recognized leadership of the party is a clear victory for internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law within the PDP; the judgment provides a solid foundation for the party to move forward with renewed focus on unity, reconciliation, and strengthening its structures across all levels.

“The committee therefore called on all aggrieved members and stakeholders to put the interest of the party above personal differences by shunning further litigation and embracing dialogue, reconciliation, and collective responsibility for the progress of the PDP; the leadership emphasized that the PDP remains committed to repositioning the party as a credible and formidable platform capable of delivering good governance and restoring hope to Nigerians,” he stated.

Assuring PDP members and supporters nationwide that PDP NCWC will continue to provide transparent, inclusive, and responsible leadership aimed at rebuilding trust, strengthening party institutions, and preparing the PDP for future electoral success, Jungudo further stressed that all stakeholders need to work together towards achieving the ideals upon which the PDP was founded.