Why PDP should suspend Saturday’s national convention – Saraki

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has advised leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Saraki made the call on Wednesday when he received members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team, led by Wakili Adamawa, Ambassador Hassan Adamu.

The former Kwara State governor said the proposed convention had become mired in “extensive controversy, both political and legal,” despite the selfless efforts of stakeholders to stabilise the party.

Saraki cautioned that political matters are best resolved through dialogue rather than litigation, noting that the growing number of court orders surrounding the convention poses a grave threat to the credibility of the process.

“As it stands, the fact is that there are conflicting court orders in relation to the validity of the scheduled convention. As a result, there is no assurance as to whether the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand.

“It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on 15-16 November 2025 will only serve to further fuel the present crisis. Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of efforts, It does not have my support. It’s not too late to find a win-win solution,” Saraki said.

The former Senate President stressed that as a leader responsible for representing the aspirations of his people, he could not, in good conscience, participate in any action that might jeopardise their political future.

He therefore advised the BOT to urgently constitute a Caretaker Committee to manage the party’s affairs temporarily, suggesting that this be done within the next two days. According to him, such a move is the most viable path to reconciliation and the restoration of confidence among members, especially those planning to contest elections on the PDP platform.

Saraki wrote: “On 12 November 2025, I had the pleasure to receive members of the BOT Reconciliation Team of our great party, the PDP, led by Wakili Adamawa, Amb. Hassan Adamu.

“They requested for a meeting in order to seek my opinion on the possible ways of restoring peace within the party. It was a meaningful and incisive meeting during which matters of great importance affecting our party were discussed.

“We deliberated extensively on issues relating to the National Convention scheduled for 15-16 November 2025 in Ibadan. In summary, I expressed deep regret that, despite the selfless and arduous efforts by some of us, the Convention has become mired in extensive controversy, both political and legal.

“This does not bode well for not only our party, but for Nigeria’s democracy in general. I made it clear to the BOT team that political matters can hardly be resolved through the courts. Affairs of political parties are best resolved amicably with all sides seated round the table.

“Legal battles will only continue to cause friction. As it stands, the fact is that there are conflicting court orders in relation to the validity of the scheduled convention. As a result, there is no assurance as to whether the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand.

“As a leader, on whose shoulder lies the political weight of the yearnings and aspiration of my people, I cannot in all good conscience take or be part of any action that will jeopardise their aspirations.

“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 to steer the affairs of the party for the time being. This must be done in the next two days.

“This is the path to true reconciliation and stability of the Party. It is also the best way to give confidence to our members who intend to contest elections on the PDP platform.

“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.

“It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on 15-16 November 2025 will only serve to further fuel the present crisis. Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of efforts, It does not have my support. It’s not too late to find a win-win solution.