Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday elected Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as its new national chairman at the convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. His emergence comes amid internal disputes and conflicting court orders surrounding the event.
1. Background
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, was born on April 3, 1957, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. He holds several traditional titles, including Dan Masanin Gwandu and Zarumman Kabbi.
2. Education and Legal Career
He attended Nassarawa Primary School in Birnin Kebbi, then Barewa College, Zaria. After completing an IJMB programme in Sokoto, he earned an LL.B from the University of Jos in 1985.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986 and completed his NYSC in 1987.
Turaki later underwent specialised training in Islamic Investment Structuring (Sukuk) in 2010 and is a Fellow of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is recognised for his work in constitutional law, arbitration, commercial litigation, election petitions, international criminal law, and oil and gas law.
4. Public Service
Turaki served in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, and later as Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity from 2014 to 2015.
He was involved in coordinating intergovernmental relations and national policy implementation.
5. Political Career
A longstanding member of the PDP, Turaki previously chaired the PDP Former Ministers’ Forum and was a presidential aspirant in the party’s 2019 primaries.
He is known for his loyalty to the party and his reputation for building consensus.
6. Emergence as PDP National Chairman
Turaki emerged unopposed after Katsina politician Lado Danmarke withdrew from the contest.
He secured 1,516 votes, while Danmarke, despite stepping down, received 275 votes.
Several other offices were filled unopposed.
7. Leadership Style and Vision
He is widely regarded as calm, principled, and knowledgeable in national politics.
His priorities include strengthening internal democracy, rebuilding grassroots structures, promoting unity, and expanding youth and women participation within the party.
8. Expectations as PDP Chairman
Turaki is stepping into leadership at a time the PDP is grappling with deep internal divisions following its defeat in the 2023 elections.
The convention that elected him also expelled several members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose—an action that some PDP governors have publicly rejected.
Analysts predict further tension as Wike and his supporters are unlikely to accept the expulsion without a fight.
Turaki is expected to stabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
9. Court Battles
The convention proceeded despite conflicting court rulings. More legal challenges are expected from aggrieved members.
Turaki now faces the task of engaging these factions and encouraging reconciliation.
10. Acceptance Speech
In his remarks, Turaki pledged to restore discipline and return the party “to the people.”
He acknowledged the challenges ahead and said the new leadership would soon unveil its operational plan.
He emphasised that the PDP remains the only party that has retained its original identity since creation and vowed there would be “no more impunity.”
Whether Turaki can rebuild the PDP and steer it toward a stronger position ahead of 2027 remains a major question for party members and political observers.
