ABUJA – Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to halt its planned National Convention slated for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, warning that going ahead with it amid ongoing legal disputes could push the party deeper into crisis.
In a statement signed by Dr. Saraki, after meeting with members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Wakili Adamawa), he urged the party to set up a Caretaker Committee to manage its affairs temporarily and restore calm.
Saraki said it was regrettable that, despite the selfless efforts of many party members, the planned convention had become mired in controversy, both politically and legally. He warned that the situation posed a serious threat not just to the PDP but also to Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on November 15–16, 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 declared.
He explained that conflicting court orders regarding the convention had created uncertainty about its legitimacy, saying no one could guarantee that the exercise or its outcome would stand.
“As it stands, 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 stated.
Saraki cautioned that political conflicts should not be resolved through the courts, adding that the only path to lasting peace was for stakeholders to sit down and resolve their issues amicably.
“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,” he said.
The former Kwara State Governor noted that his position stemmed from a sense of responsibility to protect the political interests of his people and uphold democratic stability.
“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,” he stated.
He advised that the best way forward was to constitute a Caretaker Committee within two days to pilot the party’s affairs, restore confidence among members, and create room for reconciliation.
“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,” he said.
Saraki added that such a move would give hope to those planning to contest on the PDP platform that their nominations would be valid and legally defensible.
He expressed optimism that it was not too late for the party to find a win-win solution and restore unity ahead of the coming elections.
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