The National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has celebrated the Court of Appeal’s judgment affirming its mandate to steer the affairs of the party and intensified preparations for the party’s national convention and its return to its headquarters, Wadata Plaza.

With the appellate court victory, former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) called on PDP members to embrace reconciliation and unity as they bury the hatchet and accept the verdict.

This, according to them, will move the party towards a fresh national convention that will comply with all INEC guidelines.

With peace on the horizon, the faction loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Kabir Turaki, insists that any peace move must be grounded in principles that preserve the party’s independence and strengthen its role as a credible opposition platform.

Meanwhile, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Tanimu Turaki and Umar Damagum were at the BoT emergency meeting yesterday at the lodge of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Chairman of the caretaker committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who spoke during a meeting of the committee in Abuja, described the judgment delivered on Monday as a major victory for the party and the rule of law.

He said the appellate court delivered judgment in nine appeals in favour of the committee, thereby reaffirming its position as the only legally recognised national leadership of the PDP.

Mohammed commended members of the party, its leaders and the legal team for their steadfast support, encouragement and prayers throughout the legal battle.

“I warmly welcome you to this very important National Caretaker Committee meeting coming after the appellate court judgment of Monday. I also thank you all for your support, labour, steadfastness and commitment to the tasks and mandates ahead of us,” he said.

According to him, the caretaker committee remains the only legitimate body empowered to organise party activities, including the presentation of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed urged party leaders, stakeholders and supporters to rally round the committee to reposition the PDP and ensure its preparedness for future electoral contests.

He also cautioned members against misinformation being circulated on social media, noting that some individuals were attempting to misrepresent the implications of the court judgment.

SARAKI, in his reaction to Monday’s judgment on last year’s PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, advised all the leaders of the party that it was time for introspection and for them to see the court’s decision as an end to all litigations.

“My position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (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. Also, uncertainty will continue to hang over the validity of the tickets issued to those nominated on the PDP platform. If our motive is to see that we do not jeopardise the chances of our numerous members who want to contest elections on our platform, then this consideration should be the priority of all of us in the party,” he said.

In a statement by the Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, Abuja, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the former Senate president asserted that feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise, undermine and defeat the aspirations of honest, devoted and committed party members by depriving them of the opportunity to subject themselves to the verdict of the electorate.

“That is what these leaders will be doing if anybody continues with the litigation,” he added.
AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN, in a statement yesterday, pointed out that the ruling presented an opportunity for the party to move beyond internal disputes and focus on rebuilding its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She stressed that continued litigation and internal disagreements could weaken the party’s ability to provide a strong political platform for members aspiring to elective offices across the country.

According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the PDP must now redirect its energy towards strengthening internal democracy, restoring trust among members, and positioning itself as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a party that believes in the rule of law, it is time for us to turn the page on litigation and focus on reconciliation and rebuilding,” she said.

INhis opening remarks at the Abuja meeting, the BOT chairman, Adolphus Wabara, describedthe judgment of the Court of Appeal on Monday as an opportunity for the PDP to begin again.

Other stalwarts at the meeting include ex-Deputy National Chairman, Bode George; former Information Minister, Jerry Gana; and former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu.

Earlier, the caretaker committee, led by Turaki, had also held a briefing, welcoming the Court of Appeal’s decision as validation of their leadership.

The committee confirmed it would proceed with plans for the national convention, scheduled for later this month.
The spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, disclosed the position of the Turaki faction while briefing journalists at the end of an expanded meeting of the Wabara-led BoTin Abuja.

Ememobong said discussions on reconciliation among stakeholders were ongoing, stressing that the party’s leaders were determined to ensure the PDP survives the current crisis.

According to him, the group resolved that the party must remain a viable political platform and continue to participate actively in Nigeria’s democratic process.