The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as its new national chairman.
Turaki emerged at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State. He was the sole candidate for the position and received 1,516 votes. His unopposed victory followed the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State, who nonetheless received 275 votes.
Solarin Sunday Adekunle was also elected as Deputy National Organising Secretary with 633 votes. The positions of Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser were stepped down, while 17 other offices were uncontested and returned unopposed.
Turaki’s emergence aligns with the PDP’s zoning arrangement. In August, the party’s National Executive Committee zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, leaving the national chairmanship slot for the North. Consultations among northern stakeholders in October led to Turaki’s adoption as the consensus candidate from the North-West.
The convention was attended by several prominent party leaders, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum. Others present included former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Jerry Gana, Senator Abba Moro, and former Minister of Education Ibrahim Shekarau.
Turaki’s election is expected to play a key role in repositioning the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, not all party leaders have aligned with decisions taken at the convention. Some governors, including Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang, have distanced themselves from the expulsion of Nyesom Wike, Ayo Fayose, and others.
