Saraki Urges PDP to Postpone Ibadan Convention, Calls for Caretaker Committee

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its national convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, citing ongoing legal and political controversies surrounding the exercise.

Saraki made the call in a statement via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night after meeting with members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Committee, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu. The committee visited him to seek his input on restoring peace and unity within the party.

Meeting Focuses on Party Unity

Describing the engagement as “meaningful and incisive,” Saraki said the discussion centered on pressing issues affecting the PDP’s cohesion and stability. He expressed regret that, despite the “selfless and arduous efforts” of some party leaders, the forthcoming convention had been engulfed in political and legal wrangling that, according to him, “does not augur well for Nigeria’s democracy.”

Saraki highlighted that conflicting court orders regarding the legitimacy of the convention pose serious risks to the validity of its outcomes. “As it stands, there is no assurance that the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand,” he warned.

Dialogue Over Legal Battles

Stressing that political matters are best resolved amicably, Saraki argued that turning to the courts only prolongs internal friction. “The affairs of political parties are best settled with all sides at the table. Legal battles will only continue to cause friction,” he said.

He added that he could not support any action that might jeopardise party members’ aspirations or undermine internal cohesion. To this end, Saraki urged the BoT to recommend the immediate establishment of a caretaker committee to manage the PDP’s affairs and restore confidence among members and prospective 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,” he said.

Convention Could Deepen Crisis

Saraki warned that proceeding with the Ibadan convention under the current circumstances would only escalate the crisis and amount to wasted efforts. “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,” he noted.

“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,” Saraki added.

Internal Party Tensions Escalate

Patriotic Insights News previously reported that tensions within the PDP have intensified in recent weeks following a series of internal suspensions and counter-suspensions involving key party figures.

The National Working Committee (NWC), led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, had suspended the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others for alleged anti-party activities. In response, the Anyanwu-led faction dismissed the Damagum-led decision as illegal and counter-suspended the acting chairman and some NWC members, widening divisions within the party hierarchy.

These escalating tensions coincided with a series of court rulings complicating the PDP’s path to the convention. A Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order halting the national convention, citing procedural irregularities. Despite this, party leaders insisted on proceeding, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to stop the exercise.

Conclusion

Saraki’s intervention underscores the urgent need for dialogue and internal reconciliation in the PDP ahead of critical political events. His call for a caretaker committee is aimed at restoring confidence among party members and ensuring a more stable and credible framework for leadership decisions.