Abuja, Nigeria — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has urged leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pursue reconciliation following a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria concerning the party’s national convention.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the appeal in a statement released in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The statement was issued through her media aide, Mike Idoko.
She encouraged party stakeholders across the country to treat the appellate court ruling as an opportunity to heal internal divisions, strengthen democratic processes within the party, and reposition the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections scheduled for 2027.
According to the senator, prolonged legal disputes among party leaders risk damaging the ambitions of members who intend to seek elective positions under the party’s platform.
“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, collective purpose and our shared commitment to providing Nigerians with credible leadership,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that political parties serve primarily as platforms that enable citizens to contest public offices and contribute to governance at different levels.
She cautioned that unresolved disputes among party leaders could negatively affect grassroots members who hope to run for public office in the future.
“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.
“Their aspirations and the future of our party must remain paramount,” she stated.
The senator further urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to embrace compromise and demonstrate statesmanship while resolving internal disagreements. She noted that the current situation requires dialogue, maturity, and a shared commitment to protecting the party’s long term stability.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also called on party stakeholders to organise an inclusive and credible national convention in line with guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral management body responsible for overseeing elections and regulating political parties.
“At moments like this, leadership demands that we rise above personal interests and focus on the greater good of our party and our nation.
“This is the time to come together, engage constructively and organise a national convention that reflects the unity, inclusiveness and democratic values of our party. Nigerians are watching, and we must show that the PDP remains ready and capable of leading the nation forward,” she added.
Okay News reports that the senator’s appeal comes amid ongoing disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party regarding the legality and organisation of its national convention. The disputes have resulted in several court cases and heightened tensions among factions within the party.
The Peoples Democratic Party governed Nigeria from 1999 until 2015, when it lost the presidency to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In recent years, analysts say the opposition party has faced recurring internal divisions and leadership disputes that could influence its political prospects in the 2027 national elections if the disagreements are not resolved.
