Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its forthcoming elective convention, scheduled to take place on 15 and 16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Saraki warned that proceeding with the event under the prevailing circumstances would further deepen the crisis threatening the party’s stability.
The former Kwara State governor made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Team at his residence in Abuja. Saraki, who also chairs the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, stressed that dialogue—not litigation—remains the most effective way to resolve the party’s internal disputes.
In a statement issued via his verified X account, Saraki confirmed that he met with the BoT delegation led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa) to assess the party’s current challenges and chart a path forward. He described the discussions as “meaningful and incisive”, noting that critical matters threatening party cohesion were extensively addressed.
According to Saraki, the planned convention has become entangled in a web of political disagreements and conflicting court rulings, raising serious concerns about its legality. He lamented that “despite the selfless efforts of many party leaders”, the convention process had been overshadowed by controversy, a situation he argued was detrimental to both the PDP and Nigeria’s democratic development.
“As a leader, I cannot in good conscience support any action that will jeopardise the aspirations of our members,” he said. “The only viable solution now is for the party to constitute a Caretaker Committee to steer its affairs temporarily. This should be done within the next two days.”
Saraki added that establishing a caretaker structure would help restore confidence among party members and provide clarity for aspirants hoping to contest future elections under the PDP banner. He noted that no serious politician would want to contest on a platform whose legal status remains uncertain.
Echoing Saraki’s position, PDP chieftain and former presidential aspirant, Gbenga Hashim-Olawepo, also cautioned against holding the convention as planned. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Hashim argued that the party must reconcile its warring factions before convening any national gathering.
“If a convention is held now, it could deepen the divisions and lead to further factionalisation,” he warned. “Steps are being taken to ensure a single, united convention, and the caretaker committee proposal is central to that effort.”
Hashim added that while a few actors may be keen to proceed regardless of the risks, many governors and senior leaders recognise that pushing ahead could severely fracture the party. He insisted that a neutral caretaker committee remained the best mechanism to safeguard the PDP’s unity and long-term viability.
With tensions rising and court rulings continuing to complicate the party’s plans, both Saraki and Hashim maintain that pausing the convention may be the only viable route to restoring harmony within the PDP.
