Nigeria, Dec. 19 -- If you ask Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the birthday gift he desires today, he will probably request unity within his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as his best wish for the moment. The PDP is facing yet another crisis after losing power 10 years ago. And as his 63rd birthday approached, Mr Saraki refused to endorse any form of celebration.

Rather, his pre-occupation for now is how to work with some party leaders, stakeholders, elders, and members to initiate discussions on how to unite the various feuding groups within the PDP. To many, this is a far-fetched option. It would have been easier to just move over with his supporters to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it is the...