Northern PDP Leaders Endorse Ex-Minister Turaki As Consensus Candidate For National Chairman
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Northern Nigeria have endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as their consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The endorsement was announced by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who doubles as Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee, after a meeting of Northern leaders held in Abuja on Wednesday night.
According to Fintiri, the decision followed extensive consultations among stakeholders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, leading to the unanimous adoption of Turaki as the region’s preferred choice.
He noted, however, that the contest remains open to any aspirant willing to participate.
“We have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the Chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the North. After deep reflection and wide consultation, we have adopted K.T. Turaki, SAN, as our consensus candidate,” Fintiri stated.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and seasoned legal practitioner, previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs and later as Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity under former President Goodluck Jonathan. His legal career spans constitutional law, election petitions, commercial arbitration, and international criminal law.
The development comes after the PDP’s National Executive Committee, during its 102nd meeting in Abuja on August 25, resolved to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the National Chairmanship position to the North.
Subsequently, party leaders micro-zoned the chairmanship slot to the Northwest, narrowing the field to top politicians such as former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, ex-Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and Turaki himself.
Governor Fintiri assured that the decision was reached in good faith and aimed at ensuring unity ahead of the convention, adding that “the PDP is an institution with strong internal mechanisms capable of resolving internal issues.”
He expressed optimism that the November 15–16 convention in Ibadan would be peaceful and successful.
The endorsement, however, comes amid growing internal tension within the PDP, with loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership style of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
The division has led to court disputes, including a case challenging the legality of some internal decisions made by the National Working Committee.
Those present at the meeting where Turaki was adopted included Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, among other key Northern stakeholders.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
