Amid the lingering leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the faction believed to be backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, yesterday intensified preparations for the party’s proposed national convention with an inspection of the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The inspection was led by the acting national chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Mohammed Abdulrahman, alongside the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and other officials.
Addressing journalists after inspecting the facility, Abdulrahman said the visit was part of efforts to ensure adequate arrangements ahead of the convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
“You can see for yourself, and that is why we are here this afternoon, to look at the venue of the national convention that is coming up on 29th and 30th March and to also examine the possibility of putting things in place before the date of the national convention,” he said.
Abdulrahman noted that the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal had clarified the leadership situation within the party, adding that the caretaker committee was committed to organising a smooth and credible convention.
“With the outcome of the Appeal Court judgment, individuals across the federation and those in the diaspora now know that we have a party at hand.
With the leadership of our leaders and the position of the National Caretaker Working Committee, we are willing to do everything possible to ensure that we have a smooth national convention like never before,” he stated.
He called on party members to put aside their differences and unite for the progress of the PDP and Nigeria’s democracy.
“We are not claiming that the victory is for any individual or group. It is a victory for all. We should all put our differences aside and work together for the progress of the party,” he added.
On his part, the national secretary of the caretaker committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, assured party members and aspirants seeking elective offices under the PDP platform that they had nothing to fear regarding the legitimacy of party processes.
According to him, the Appeal Court judgement had affirmed the caretaker committee as the recognised leadership of the party pending the emergence of a new National Working Committee at the national convention.
“All those who want to contest elections under the platform of the PDP should not be afraid. The Appeal Court has affirmed this Caretaker Working Committee, and by the time we hold our convention, we will have a full-fledged National Working Committee,” Anyanwu said.
He also dismissed concerns raised by some defectors about who would sign nomination documents for aspirants, insisting that the party’s processes remained intact.
Meanwhile, leaders of another bloc within the party, led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), held an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) to deliberate on the implications of the Appeal Court judgement and the future of the party.
Speaking at the meeting, Turaki said the developments within the PDP had generated concern among Nigerians and party members, making it necessary for stakeholders to chart a way forward.
“It becomes imperative that our leaders sit down, consider the situation on ground and come up with workable and implementable options that will save this party and indeed strengthen Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of PDP governors, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged that the party was going through a difficult period but expressed optimism that the crisis would eventually be over.
“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said.
The governor noted that the current political situation facing the PDP was unprecedented in the country’s democratic history.
“I have been talking to people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country, and none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today,” he said.
Makinde, however, maintained that despite the challenges confronting the party, PDP leaders must remain steadfast.
“We are only two remaining governors, but we are not bothered. I can say personally, and on behalf of my colleague, that when the story of this period is told and when the story of democracy in Nigeria is written, they will find us on the side of the people,” he stated.
Makinde urged party leaders and members to remain conscious of the role they play in shaping the party’s future and Nigeria’s democratic history.
“Whatever role we want to play as individuals and collectively as a party, we must be conscious of what history is going to record against us or for us during this period,” Makinde added.
He concluded on a note of optimism, saying the current crisis would eventually give way to better days for the party.
“This period will pass away. As the Holy Book says, weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy comes,” the governor added.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has called on leaders and stakeholders of the PDP to bury their differences, accept the Court of Appeal verdict and focus on organising a fresh national convention that complies with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Saraki, reacting to the Appeal Court judgement on the party’s national convention held in Ibadan last year, said the ruling should mark the end of internal litigations within the party.
“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,” he said.
According to him, continued legal battles could create uncertainty over the validity of PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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.
“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,” Saraki stated.
Similarly, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, called on PDP leaders and stakeholders to embrace reconciliation following the Appeal Court judgement.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the lawmaker urged party members to see the ruling as an opportunity to restore unity and strengthen internal democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a democratic party that believes in the rule of law, we must now shift our focus from litigation to reconciliation and rebuilding. The strength of our party lies in unity and collective purpose,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that prolonged legal disputes within the party could undermine the aspirations of many loyal members intending to contest elections on the PDP platform.
“Our members across the grassroots, those aspiring to serve in State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship positions and even the presidency, must not become casualties of prolonged disagreements among leaders,” she said.
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