Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a former Senate president, has urged all PDP leaders and stakeholders to put aside their differences, accept the Court of Appeal’s decision, and proceed with organizing a new national convention that will adhere to all Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations.
In response to the ruling on Monday regarding the party’s national convention in Ibadan last year, Saraki counseled all of the party’s leaders to reflect on their actions and to view the Appeal Court’s ruling as the conclusion of any legal disputes.
He claims that the party has little time to prepare for the 2027 elections and cannot afford to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the party’s leadership problem.
According to Naija News, the former governor of Kwara State expressed his opinions in a statement on Tuesday that was signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of his media office.
Saraki cautioned that rival leaders shouldn’t let their egos and personal disagreements endanger the PDP’s prospects and future.
“In my opinion, the Court of Appeal has made a decision,” he stated. However, it is clear that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling given the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) updated schedule. If not, we wouldn’t be able to finish the nomination process by the deadlines.
The authenticity of the tickets given to individuals nominated on the PDP platform will also remain unknown. All of us in the party should prioritize this aspect if our goal is to ensure that we do not jeopardize the chances of our many members who wish to run for office on our platform.
Giving candidates who want to run for office and serve the people a platform is one of a political party’s fundamental requirements. We shouldn’t undermine this goal. For these reasons, I think the best course of action available to all of us is to put an end to all legal proceedings and cooperate with the current procedures in order to have a national convention within the INEC schedule.
Some of us have cautioned and advised about the risks associated with taking this way since the outset. We are aware that it will simply put the celebration in danger. But now that we are here, we should concentrate on how to return to the path of complete healing, stability, and advancement.
I am aware that egos have been hurt at this point. The capacity to rise above the commotion and put aside one’s own interests in favor of the greater common interests and public good, however, is what distinguishes a statesman from an ordinary man, a person from a patriot, and a follower from a leader. The PDP’s greater interest in the 2027 elections and beyond should thus be taken into consideration by some party leaders who did not receive what they wanted from the judges. Adopting this attitude is more honorable, respectable, and responsible than setting out on a pointless quest.
“For the benefit of the many members who have based their goals on the PDP platform, my concern is how to sustain and preserve this wonderful party. Because they wish to run for office on the PDP platform, a large number of Nigerians at the grassroots level have been devoting their time and money to organizing support for the party. These individuals wish to run for governor, the presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Houses of Assembly.
The objectives of these sincere, loyal, and committed party members should not be jeopardized, undermined, or defeated by feuding leaders’ egos and personal disagreements by denying them the chance to face the electorate’s decision. If the lawsuit is pursued, that is what these leaders will be doing.
“The only practical choice available to all of us is to convene, deliberate, and endeavor to organize an inclusive national convention at a period that will adhere to INEC regulations. Adopting a give-and-take mindset that will guarantee we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention should be our top priority. The dog should be allowed to sleep in peace. There truly isn’t time for constant squabbling and bragging.
