Saraki Urges PDP to Hold Fresh Convention After Appeal Court Nullifies Ibadan Convention

Bukola Saraki has urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to end ongoing legal disputes surrounding the party’s November 2025 national convention and immediately organise a fresh one in line with electoral guidelines.

Saraki made the call on Tuesday following a judgment by the Court of Appeal (Nigeria) which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

The appellate court, in a ruling delivered on Monday, upheld an earlier decision of the Federal High Court (Nigeria) that restrained the PDP from conducting the convention.

A three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam dismissed an appeal filed by the party challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear the case.

The court held that the PDP failed to comply with constitutional provisions guiding the conduct of a national convention and did not serve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a valid notice as required by law. It also ruled that the party failed to conduct congresses in more than 14 states before holding the convention, contrary to legal requirements.

Reacting to the ruling in a statement issued by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki urged party leaders to accept the verdict and prioritise organising a fresh convention within INEC’s electoral timetable.

He warned that prolonged litigation could jeopardise the PDP’s chances of fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Saraki also cautioned the faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki against taking the matter to the Supreme Court, noting that the party may run out of time to complete its nomination process.

According to him, with INEC’s revised timetable already in place, waiting for a Supreme Court decision could create uncertainty around the validity of candidates nominated on the PDP platform.

The former Senate President stressed that the primary role of any political party is to provide a credible platform for candidates to contest elections.

He therefore called on PDP leaders to set aside personal interests and work towards organising an all-inclusive national convention that complies fully with INEC guidelines.

Saraki added that the party must act quickly to restore stability and protect the political aspirations of its members ahead of the 2027 elections.