Turaki, who became the sole candidate, polled 1,516 votes to clinch the top position of the main opposition party.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected former Minister of Special Duties and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as its new National Chairman.
His emergence followed a highly controversial national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The convention, which drew delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was overshadowed by sharp disagreements over zoning arrangements, accreditation delays, and alleged last-minute manoeuvres by rival factions. Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venue as repeated confrontations among opposing blocs threatened to disrupt the exercise.
Turaki became the sole candidate after the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State. He went on to poll 1,516 votes to clinch the top position of the main opposition party.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki pledged to prioritise reconciliation, unity, and restructuring within the crisis-ridden party.
“We must rebuild trust and restore unity. This mandate is for the collective renewal of our great party,” he told delegates, assuring that he would reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Turaki is now expected to begin consultations immediately as he moves to stabilise the PDP’s national structure and address long-standing internal disputes.
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Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has distanced himself from the expulsion of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, PDP’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other party leaders.
Speaking via a statement issued by his spokesperson, Gyang Bere, the governor said the matter was never discussed at the PDP Governors Forum or the National Executive Committee before the motion was introduced.
“The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike; former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Samuel Anyanwu alongside other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” the statement read.
He added that the removal of key party figures at a critical moment is not a smart way to address the PDP’s internal problems.
On his part, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, also dissociated himself from the decision to expel Wike.
He said, “I wish to categorically state that I dissociate myself from the position of expelling the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, from PDP.
”I believe that this decision is not in the best interest of the party, and I will not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.”
Fintiri further reiterated “my position is guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation, and I will continue to work towards achieving this goal.”
