Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has called on the Peoples Democratic Party to halt its planned national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. He cited ongoing legal disputes and internal political disagreements as reasons the exercise could compromise the party’s integrity and credibility.
Saraki made the appeal in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account late Wednesday, following a discussion with members of the PDP Board of Trustees Reconciliation Committee, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu. The committee had visited Saraki at his Abuja residence to gather his views on resolving internal conflicts within the party.
Describing the meeting as “meaningful and incisive,” Saraki said it centered on urgent matters affecting the cohesion and stability of the PDP. He expressed concern that despite the “selfless and arduous efforts” of certain party leaders, the planned convention had become embroiled in political and legal controversies, which could negatively impact Nigeria’s democratic process.
Saraki warned that conflicting court orders regarding the convention’s legitimacy put its outcome at serious risk. “As it stands, there is no assurance that the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand. Political matters can hardly be resolved through the courts. The affairs of political parties are best settled amicably with all sides at the table. Legal battles will only continue to cause friction,” he said.
He emphasized that, as a responsible party leader, he could not support any move that might undermine the aspirations of party members or threaten internal unity. Accordingly, Saraki recommended that the PDP establish a Caretaker Committee to manage party affairs and restore confidence among members and potential candidates.
“My advice to the BoT team is that the only solution available to us now is for the party to set up a Caretaker Committee within the next two days. This is the path to true reconciliation and stability of the party. It will also reassure members who wish to contest elections under the PDP platform,” Saraki added.
He cautioned that proceeding with the Ibadan convention under the current circumstances would exacerbate existing tensions and be largely counterproductive. “In the present circumstance, no serious politician with electoral ambition will seek to contest on the platform of the PDP, not knowing whether his or her nomination will be valid or declared null and void. Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of effort. It does not have my support,” he said.
Okay News reports further highlight that the PDP crisis has intensified over recent weeks with a wave of suspensions and counter-suspensions among key party figures. The National Working Committee, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, had suspended the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others for alleged anti-party activities. Anyanwu’s faction dismissed the suspensions as illegal and retaliated by suspending Damagum and some NWC members.
The turbulence coincides with conflicting court rulings. A Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered a halt to the convention due to procedural irregularities, but the PDP leadership insisted on proceeding, claiming the court lacked jurisdiction.
