…Says, “let’s bury the hatchet, stop litigations
Former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has declared that following the judgement of the Court of Appeal, it was time for introspection for all leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to see the decision as an end to all litigations.
Saraki in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, pointedly said that it was time for all the leaders of the Party to bury the hatchet, accept the verdict of the Court of Appeal and move towards holding a fresh national convention that will comply with all guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said that he knows that at this stage, egos have been bruised, adding however that 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.
Saraki said that his concern is how to save and preserve the PDP for the benefit of the numerous members who have hinged their aspirations on the party’s platform.
The former governor of Kwara State who stated these while reacting to Monday’s judgement of the appellate court on the November 2025 national convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, stressed that his position is that the court has ruled.
Saraki said; “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.
“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.
“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. The only viable option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss, and work towards holding an all-inclusive national convention at a time that will comply with INEC guidelines.
“What should be paramount to all of us is to adopt a give-and-take attitude that will ensure we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention. We should let the sleeping dog lie peacefully. There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding,” Saraki said.
