Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has described it as “shameful” if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fails to appear on the 2027 general election ballot due to internal disputes.
Saraki made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to Channels Television during the PDP’s 2026 National Convention at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Reflecting on the party’s journey to the convention, he highlighted his personal efforts in reconciliation, despite facing attacks and criticism along the way.
“Let us be able to allow people that want to contest for 2027 on PDP platform. It would be a shame if, by an own goal, one way or the other, we’re not on that ballot. And that has been what has been driving us,” Saraki said.
He expressed confidence in the party’s readiness, citing the strong turnout at the convention and the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“When I walked in here, saw the attendance, saw INEC here, I said to my God, Alhamdulillah. It shows that PDP is deeply rooted across the country,” he added, noting that the validation provided by INEC encouraged aspiring candidates to pursue their ambitions within the party.
On party unity, Saraki acknowledged the absence of some key figures but emphasised that reconciliation efforts would continue beyond the convention. He urged party leaders to focus on enabling young aspirants across states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna to contest elections under the PDP platform.
“The issues about we, the leaders, we should put it behind. Today, we must appreciate that we were going down. Now we have an opportunity to be on that 2027 election and keep the party going,” he said.
Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has faced internal crises, including leadership disputes, factional splits, legal battles over positions, and mass defections, losing governors, lawmakers, and state-level members to the APC.
