In a high-stakes and contentious national convention held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Special Duties, has been elected as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event, marked by sharp disagreements over zoning, turbulent accreditation delays, and allegations of last-minute manoeuvres by rival groups, witnessed delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory converge to shape the future of the opposition party.
Security at the venue was intensified as factional blocs traded accusations, causing brief disruptions before voting commenced. The atmosphere remained charged until the early hours of Sunday, when vote collation, overseen by party agents and observers, affirmed Turaki’s landslide victory. According to Ben Obi, Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee, Turaki garnered 1,516 votes, while Lado Danmarke, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State who had earlier withdrawn from the race, secured 275 votes. Obi reported that a total of 1,834 votes were cast, with 43 voided ballots.
Announcing the outcome, Senator Obi declared, “It is therefore clear from the votes cast that Taminu Turaki has won the position of National Chairman of the PDP with a total of 1,516 votes.” He also named Solarin Sunday Adekunle as the Deputy National Organising Secretary, who claimed 633 votes in a separate contest.In his acceptance speech, Turaki expressed gratitude to delegates for their trust, emphasizing his commitment to bridge deep divisions and reposition the party. “We must rebuild trust and restore unity. This mandate is not for me alone but for the collective renewal of our great party,” Turaki stated, pledging to “heal divisions and restore unity” as a priority. He promised to usher in reforms that would strengthen the PDP’s position as a formidable opposition ahead of the next general elections.
The convention also saw controversy, with reports indicating that some founding members had secured court injunctions to prevent the gathering, citing alleged injustices regarding the chairmanship slot. Despite these legal challenges, the event proceeded, albeit under the weight of internal party discord.
Earlier in the proceedings, the PDP leadership moved to expel 11 notable members—including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose—for alleged anti-party activities. The motion was tabled by George, and quickly seconded by the Bauchi State governor before being put to a vote and affirmed by the majority of delegates. “The conduct of the 11 PDP members had become inconsistent with the party’s collective interest,” George argued. The internal crisis, coupled with the expulsions, underscored the high stakes and divided sentiments within the party ranks.
With his election, Turaki pledged to immediately begin broad consultations to reconcile warring party factions, build fresh alliances, and set a new strategic direction for Nigeria’s leading opposition party. “This mandate is a call to service and collective renewal—one that we must fulfill together,” Turaki said, signaling a new chapter for the PDP in the run-up to 2027.
The Ibadan convention has thus repositioned the PDP’s leadership while highlighting ongoing challenges with internal cohesion and party discipline—setting the stage for critical months of rebuilding ahead.
