By BEN OGBEMUDIA
With just a day to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Elective Convention slated for November 15–16, final preparations are underway at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The stadium — a landmark of Oyo State’s sporting pride — is being transformed into a major political arena expected to host more than 3,000 delegates, party leaders, and observers in what many call a decisive moment for the PDP ahead of 2027.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who chairs the Venue Subcommittee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), is supervising the installation of new seating, enhanced lighting, audiovisual systems, and security perimeters. VIP lounges, media enclosures, and delegate accreditation centres are being fine-tuned to ensure smooth operations.
The convention will elect 18 members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including a new National Chairman, as the party seeks to reaffirm unity amid internal disagreements.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged the PDP to suspend the convention and instead appoint a caretaker committee. In a post on his X handle after meeting members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Team, Saraki argued that the caretaker option is the only path to “true reconciliation and stability.”
He warned that proceeding with the convention amid court disputes would “worsen the crisis” and discourage aspirants uncertain about the validity of future nominations.
His remarks came after conflicting court orders — one from an Oyo court permitting the convention, and another from an Abuja High Court restraining it and barring INEC from recognising its outcome.