PDP Crisis: Why Turaki’s camp must accept Appeal Court defeat to Wike’s camp – Saraki

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has explained why the camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Turaki, must accept its defeat to the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike following the latest judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki said the Appeal Court ruling should bring an end to the prolonged litigations within the party and allow the PDP to focus on rebuilding and preparing for future elections.

Reacting to Monday’s appellate court judgment on the party’s national convention held in Ibadan last year, Saraki said the verdict should be seen as the end of the dispute.

According to him, the party no longer has the luxury of time to continue the legal battle, especially with the timetable already released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by 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,” Saraki said.

He warned that prolonging the legal fight could create uncertainty over candidates contesting future elections on the PDP platform.

Saraki stressed that one of the key responsibilities of a political party is to provide a platform for members seeking elective offices.

He said feuding leaders should not allow personal interests and bruised egos to destroy the chances of party members planning to contest elections in 2027.

“Our focus should be on how to get back on the path of full recovery, stability and progress. Feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise the aspirations of our members who want to contest elections on the PDP platform,” he said.

The former Senate President advised the party leadership to immediately begin arrangements for a fresh national convention that would comply with INEC guidelines.

He added that leaders of the party must adopt a “give-and-take” approach to accommodate all interests and rebuild unity ahead of the next general elections.