Dr-Bukola-Saraki
By Tosin Ogunrinde
The former Senate President and influential PDP elder, Bukola Saraki, has called on his party’s leadership to hit the pause button on the upcoming national convention, urging instead that a caretaker committee be installed to steer the organization through a period of uncertainty. In a statement released to the press, Saraki argued that the convention, slated for mid‑November in Ibadan, has become a flashpoint for legal wrangling and factional disputes that threaten to tear the party apart. He warned that proceeding under the current cloud of court orders and rival claims to legitimacy would only deepen the rift and damage the PDP’s credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.
Saraki’s appeal comes at a time when the party is already grappling with a series of high‑profile defections and internal power struggles. Several factions have filed lawsuits contesting the procedures for delegate selection, alleging irregularities that could render any outcome from the convention null and void. By suggesting a caretaker committee, Saraki is echoing a familiar tactic used in the past to temporarily sideline contested leadership battles, allowing cooler heads to negotiate a consensus without the pressure of an imminent convention deadline.
The proposal has sparked a mixed reaction across the party’s rank and file. Long‑time PDP stalwarts who have rallied behind Saraki in the past see his intervention as a necessary step to preserve party unity, while others view it as an attempt to delay a convention that might produce a leadership lineup unfavorable to his own allies. In particular, some younger politicians who have been pushing for a more transparent and inclusive convention process have expressed concern that a caretaker setup could be used to stall reforms and maintain the status quo.
Legal experts note that the PDP’s constitution does provide for the establishment of an interim governing body in exceptional circumstances, but any such move would need to be ratified by a majority of the national working committee and, ideally, backed by a court order to avoid further litigation. Saraki’s statement, while persuasive, will likely be scrutinized for its adherence to party statutes and its political motivations. The courts, which have already issued conflicting rulings on the convention’s legality, may yet have the final say on whether the PDP can legally postpone the event.
If the caretaker committee is formed, its primary tasks would include overseeing the day‑to‑day operations of the party, coordinating a fresh convention schedule, and facilitating dialogue among the warring factions. The committee would also be expected to address the backlog of grievances that have accumulated, from disputed delegate lists to allegations of vote‑buying. Observers suggest that a successful interim arrangement could restore some measure of stability, but it would also require a delicate balancing act to keep all sides engaged and prevent a further exodus of members.
Ultimately, the PDP finds itself at a crossroads, with the decision on whether to suspend the convention and install a caretaker committee poised to shape its future trajectory. Saraki’s intervention adds a high‑profile voice to the debate, but the outcome will depend on how party leaders, the judiciary, and the broader membership respond. Whether this move will usher in a period of reconciliation or simply postpone an inevitable showdown remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the party’s ability to navigate this crisis will be a litmus test for its relevance in the years ahead.
