Former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has insisted that the party must be on the ballot in the forthcoming general election in 2027.
Speaking on Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’ on Thursday night, Saraki said it was important for the party to have an elected leadership in order to chat a way forward.
“The key issue now is reconciliation, we have to settle our problems within the party, we have lost too much time, and there is no much time left.
“Although our situation is not chronic, we have a problem, yes, but our problem can be resolved. Let’s have this convention first, let’s have an elected leadership, we still have our state structures, we can pick up” he stated.
The former Senate President noted that he is only working with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to ensure the crisis in the party are resolved.
He also said he is supporting a North Central candidate for the Chairmanship of the party, noting that the party had a gentleman agreement to allow the zone to have leadership of the party.
Asked whether he would be contesting the election in 2027, Saraki declined, stating that his only mission at the moment is to see PDP ready for the 2027 election.
“As an opposition party, you must bring your best hand on board to be able to win the election, so we are coming back, but let’s get across with the convention first,” he stated.
The core conflict involves camps loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The Wike camp (backed by acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed) has declared the party stable after securing court victories, while the Makinde camp has engaged in last-minute peace talks to prevent a total split.
Following a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the November 2025 Ibadan convention, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction (initially backed by governors) has opened peace talks with the Wike camp, hinting at a willingness to withdraw cases to present a united front for 2027.
The Wike-backed caretaker committee confirmed the national convention will proceed on March 29 and 30, 2026, at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Despite the hardline stances, senior leaders are actively trying to ensure all factions participate, with reports indicating a move to “break the ice” between the Makinde and Wike camps to ensure the convention holds as planned.
Committees for the convention have been inaugurated, and despite initial legal challenges, organisers maintain that preparations are complete and the event will be inclusive.
While some observers feared the crisis could lead to the party’s dissolution, indications suggest a frantic attempt at reconciliation ahead of the convention to maintain its standing as a major opposition party.