Dare Babalola
Former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has emerged as the new Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman after a highly contested national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
The PDP’s national convention in Ibadan was marked by disagreements over zoning, accreditation delays, and alleged manoeuvres by rival factions, with heavy security presence as tensions flared among opposing blocs.
Turaki, who became the sole candidate after the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State, polled 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.
Party leaders, including governors, National Assembly members, and former National Working Committee officials, appealed to aggrieved members to accept the outcome and join hands with the new leadership. However, some factions immediately rejected the process, alleging irregularities and vowing to challenge the outcome through internal party mechanisms.
The Ibadan convention capped weeks of legal battles, as several founding members obtained court injunctions seeking to halt the event over alleged injustices in the zoning and selection processes, particularly regarding the national chairmanship.
Turaki is expected to begin consultations immediately as he moves to stabilise the PDP’s national structure and address long-standing internal disputes.
