Former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on the party’s leadership to suspend its planned National Convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, citing ongoing legal and political controversies.
Saraki made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, following a meeting with members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, the Wakili Adamawa.
According to him, the BOT team met with him on November 12 to seek his views on the current challenges facing the party and possible ways to restore internal peace. He described the engagement as “meaningful and incisive,” noting that discussions focused on key issues affecting the stability and credibility of the PDP.
The former Senate President expressed deep concern that despite efforts by some stakeholders to foster unity, the planned convention has been engulfed in legal disputes and political infighting.
“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,” Saraki said.
He stressed that political disputes are best resolved through dialogue rather than litigation, warning that continued reliance on the courts would only deepen divisions within the PDP.
“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,” he cautioned.
Saraki advised that instead of proceeding with the convention under uncertain conditions, the party should immediately constitute a Caretaker Committee to temporarily oversee its affairs.
He urged that this should be done within the next two days to restore confidence and stability ahead of the 2027 general election. “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,” he stated.
Saraki maintained that moving ahead with the Ibadan convention would only worsen the current crisis, describing it as “a waste of efforts” that could undermine the PDP’s unity and public credibility.
He concluded by calling for a “win-win solution” that prioritizes dialogue and consensus over division, emphasizing that his position stems from a genuine concern for the collective interest of the party and its members.
