Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has declared that he is not in support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) proceeding with the planned November 15-16 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to Saraki, conflicting court orders on the proposed convention leave a doubt as to whether the outcome of the convention will stand.

He therefore withdrew his support for the convention and urged the PDP leaders to instead set up a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the party until all issues are resolved.

Naija News reports Saraki made his stand known while speaking when he played host to members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team of the PDP, led by Wakili Adamawa and Amb. Hassan Adamu

The former Kwara State Governor stressed that political matters can’t be resolved by court orders and instead urged the PDP to find a way to bring all aggrieved parties together for a round table discussion.

He expressed regret that, despite the efforts of some PDP members to put the party back on track, other interests have made such moves impossible.

Speaking via a statement on Wednesday released across his social media handles, Saraki urged the PDP leaders to set up the caretaker committee within the next two days, noting that he can’t lead his followers and supporters to a convention that may jeopardize their political aspirations.

In his view, it is already too late to find a solution to the current crisis rocking the PDP before the scheduled date for the National Convention.

He wrote on 𝕏, “On 12 November 2025, I had the pleasure to receive members of the BOT Reconciliation Team of our great party, the PDP, led by Wakili Adamawa, Amb. Hassan Adamu. They requested for a meeting in order to seek my opinion on the possible ways of restoring peace within the party. It was a meaningful and incisive meeting during which matters of great importance affecting our party were discussed.

“We deliberated extensively on issues relating to the National Convention scheduled for 15-16 November 2025 in Ibadan.

In summary, 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.

“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.

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 jeopardize their aspirations.

“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.

It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on 15-16 November 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. It’s not too late to find a win-win solution.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop its planned National Convention until the substantive suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, is determined.

The order was given on Tuesday in a suit by Lamido challenging his inability to get the PDP Nomination Form to contest for the National Chairmanship position despite paying for the Form.

Daily Voice reports that the court further ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not participate in any activities relating to the convention in Ibadan or anywhere in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Lamido had dragged the PDP before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to halt its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, filed by his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), Lamido asked the court to restrain the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or supervising the convention.

The former governor alleged that he was “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of national chairman at the Ibadan convention.

According to him, the PDP’s actions violated the provisions of its constitution and internal guidelines, which guarantee equal opportunity for all eligible members to participate in internal elections.

Lamido contended that the convention’s planning process had excluded key stakeholders and failed to adhere to the party’s constitutional requirements.

He argued that the leadership’s decision to deny him a nomination form amounted to a breach of natural justice, insisting that the process should be halted until the anomaly is corrected.

The plaintiff is asking the court for a mandatory injunction compelling the PDP to issue him a nomination form for the position of national chairman before any convention can hold.

Lamido also urged the court to bar INEC from supervising, aiding, or recognizing any convention conducted without his participation, warning that doing so would give illegal legitimacy to an otherwise unconstitutional process.

Previously, Justice Peter Lifu, had refused to grant Lamido’s request for an interim order restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead with the convention.

Instead, the judge directed the two defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the reliefs sought by Lamido should not be granted.

However, on Tuesday, the Court ruled in favour of Lamido after the affected parties presented their cases.

A close aide to former Kano State Governor and ex‑APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Umar Idris Shuaibu has warned President Bola Tinubu not to underestimate the value of his principal if he wants to win the 2027 election.

Speaking with Punch, Shuaibu insisted that Ganduje’s strategic insights, vast experience, and formidable political network make him indispensable for the ruling party’s next victory.

According to Shuaibu, during Ganduje’s tenure as APC National Chairman, he presided over a wave of defections that bolstered the party’s national strength

He said, “Ganduje is a man who understands Nigerian politics at every level. He navigates challenges with foresight and strategy, turning potential crises into opportunities for party growth and unity.

If the APC wants to win in 2027, the President can not afford to underestimate the value Ganduje brings.

“High-profile entrants into the APC under his watch included key figures from rival parties and grassroots groups whose alignment shifted the political landscape.”

“Ganduje was instrumental in persuading influential opposition members to join the APC, creating alliances that reshaped the political map in several states. These moves were not just symbolic, they translated into real electoral strength,” Shuaibu explained.

Shuaibu stressed, “Few leaders have the combination of experience, political wisdom, and strategic vision that Ganduje possesses. He knows how to read the political terrain and position the party to maximise its chances of victory.

“In Kano, nearly all major political figures have aligned with the APC under Ganduje’s influence, effectively consolidating the state’s political landscape in favour of the party.”