Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to halt its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, arguing that the party must prioritise stability over speed amid ongoing internal disputes and conflicting court orders.
Senator Saraki delivered the advice on Wednesday during a meeting with members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Team. Shortly afterwards, he restated his position in a post on his X handle, insisting that a caretaker committee should temporarily take charge of the party.
According to him, setting up such a committee within days is “the only practical route” to restoring calm within the PDP and reassuring members preparing for upcoming elections.
He warned that unresolved disputes surrounding the convention pose risks to aspirants who cannot be sure their nominations will withstand possible legal challenges.
Saraki cautioned that moving ahead with the convention under the present conditions would “amount to wasted effort,” arguing that it could worsen the internal wrangling that has left the party divided.
He also stressed that the uncertainty surrounding the leadership struggle makes the PDP unattractive to politicians with serious electoral ambitions.
Saraki called instead for what he described as a “win-win solution” one he believes can only emerge through compromise and a temporary leadership structure that can unify feuding blocs.
His intervention comes amid a series of contradictory court rulings over the convention, which is due to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
An Oyo State High Court last week granted approval for the PDP and its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with preparations.
However, in a separate ruling delivered days later, a High Court in Abuja barred the party from holding the event and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to supervise or recognise any outcome from the gathering.
The legal back-and-forth has deepened the uncertainty surrounding the party’s plans, prompting heightened calls for a political rather than judicial resolution.
As the deadline for the convention approaches, it remains unclear whether the party leadership will heed Saraki’s advice or press ahead despite the growing tension.
