By
Mumini AbdulKareem, Ilorin
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its planned National Convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said going ahead with the event amid conflicting court orders and internal divisions would worsen the party’s crisis and endanger its future.
Saraki made his position known in a post on his official X handle shortly after receiving members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu at his residence.
The delegation had visited him to seek his advice on restoring peace and unity within the party.
He described the meeting as “meaningful and incisive,” noting that key issues affecting the PDP’s stability were discussed in detail.
According to him, “Despite the selfless efforts by some of us, the convention has become mired in political and legal controversies which does not bode well for our party or Nigeria’s democracy.”
Saraki warned that political matters are best settled through dialogue, not in the courts.
He said the conflicting judgments over the convention’s legality had created uncertainty over its validity.
“As it stands, there are conflicting court orders on the convention. There’s no assurance its outcome will stand,” he said.
He explained that, as a leader, he could not support any process that would jeopardize the aspirations of his people or the party’s unity.
Saraki advised the BOT to immediately set up a Caretaker Committee to run the party temporarily, saying that was the only way to rebuild trust and confidence among members.
“This is the path to true reconciliation and stability, it’s also how we can give confidence to those contesting elections on our platform”, he said.
He maintained that proceeding with the convention in its present state would only deepen the crisis.
“Going ahead with the convention in Ibadan will fuel the current crisis. It does not have my support,” he stated. It’s not too late to find a win-win solution”, he stated.
Daily Trust reports that the PDP has been thrown into confusion ahead of the convention following a wave of conflicting court rulings and internal divisions.
On October 31, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the convention, citing the party’s failure to meet statutory notice requirements.
Barely two weeks later, on November 11, another Abuja court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu also restrained the PDP and INEC from proceeding.
This came after former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido challenged his alleged exclusion from the chairmanship race.
However, an Ibadan High Court, led by Justice Ladiran Akintola, extended an earlier order allowing the convention to hold as long as the party complied with its published guidelines.
That ruling remains valid until November 14.
The contradictory judgments have split the party.
One camp, loyal to acting National Chairman Iliya Damagum, insists the convention will proceed.
Another faction, linked to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has warned members to stay away, saying attendance would amount to contempt of court.
Despite the confusion, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insists the convention will hold as planned, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to destabilize the PDP.
Analysts have warned that the opposition party faces one of its toughest tests since losing power in 2015.
Many say the Ibadan convention could become a flashpoint unless urgent steps were taken to unify its ranks.
