- Safiu Kehinde
The former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has affirmed the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Saraki declared the faction as the party to present candidates at the forthcoming 2027 General Elections.
The ex-Kwara lawmaker made this known while addressing the party leaders and delegates at the faction’s National Convention held in Abuja on Sunday.
Saraki, in his address, cited the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials as evidence of the convention’s legibility and validity.
“We must ensure that we have the validity of our processes. So, we thank God that at a second attempt, we are here now doing a convention that has that validity of INEC which is key in this process.
“Today is a great opportunity for us in the PDP to charge our way forward because we now have a party that can present candidate at the 2027 election. We now have a party that people can no longer blackmail our aspirants and make fun of them that oh! you will not be on the ballot paper.
“Now we know PDP will be on the ballot paper in 2027. This is a great achievement. Months ago, nobody thought we could do this.” He said.
The PDP chieftain held that INEC’s presence as strong conviction to those who still doubt the validity of the convention as he recalled meeting some former members and leaders of the party who insisted on confirming the presence of INEC at the convention before they return to the party.
Saraki urged others who are still skeptical about returning to the party to do so as he affirmed that the PDP has come to stay.
“That is why, even for those who are not here, as I was making my way here I was talking to some to come and join us.
“They said SP go ahead. If I see INEC there, I know there is validity. I will be part of this process from tomorrow.
“I now call on those who have seen the legality and validity, let’s put hands together and make sure that we forge ahead as one family.
“For those who are not yet here, I appeal to you again, it is not by interest and not by individual objectives. It is the collective responsibility of this great party to this great country.
“PDP has come to stay and Inshallah will not only come to stay but be victorious in the election coming in 2027.” He added.