A former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has been elected as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following a tense national convention marked by deep divisions, surprise expulsions, and open resistance from key party leaders.
Turaki emerged victorious during the convention held on Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State, where accredited delegates from 17 states gathered to elect new national officers. Announcing the results, former Senator Ben Obi revealed that Turaki secured 1,516 votes, defeating Senator Yakubu Danmarke, who polled 275 votes. Out of 1,834 votes cast, 43 were voided.
“It is therefore clear from the votes cast that Timinu Turaki has won the position of the National Chairman of the PDP with a total of 1,516 votes,” Obi declared. He also confirmed that Solarin Adekunle was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary.
A total of 3,131 delegates were present at the convention, while 2,745 were accredited. Governors in attendance included Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau). Governors Ademola Adeleke, Siminalayi Fubara, and Agbu Kefas were notably absent.
Turbulence as Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu Expelled
Before voting began, the convention descended into controversy after the party expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose; National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; and eight others. Their expulsion also came with the dissolution of party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states.
The motion for their removal—moved by PDP elder Bode George and seconded by the Bauchi State PDP chairman—cited “anti-party activities” and persistent litigation against the party’s interests. The vote was unanimously adopted by the convention.
Fintiri, Mutfwang Reject Expulsion
However, moments after the announcement, two serving PDP governors—Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau—issued statements rejecting the expulsions.
Fintiri, through his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, said the decision “was not in the best interest of the party” and warned against actions capable of deepening the PDP’s internal crisis.
“My position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP. I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration,” he said.
Mutfwang echoed the sentiment, noting that the proposal was neither discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum nor considered by the National Executive Committee (NEC). He argued that removing party chieftains at such a delicate time was “not a strategic step,” stressing the need for unity, dialogue, and reconciliation.
Wike’s Longstanding Dispute
The expelled FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has long faced calls for sanctions after openly opposing the PDP in the 2023 presidential election. But Wike has repeatedly maintained that he committed no wrongdoing.
“For the presidential election, I said I am going to support equity, fairness, and justice… Today, people say ‘discipline Wike, he did anti-party.’ I did not do anti-party,” he said on Channels Television in October 2024.
He has also previously accused party leaders of violating the PDP constitution, declaring in 2023 that “anti-party begets anti-party.”
Turaki Promises to Rebuild Party
In his acceptance speech, Turaki assured supporters that he would justify the confidence placed in him.
“We are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity,” he said.
He vowed to reunite the PDP, bring back defectors, and “save Nigerian democracy” through renewed discipline, transparency, and grassroots engagement. Turaki also pledged to unveil new guiding principles to reposition the party for future contests.
Who is Kabiru Turaki?
Turaki, 54, hails from Kebbi State and holds a law degree from the University of Jos. With over 25 years of post-qualification experience, he previously contested the Kebbi State governorship in 2011. He later served in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet, overseeing the Ministry of Special Duties.
What You Should Know
Kabiru Turaki’s election as PDP National Chairman comes at a turbulent moment for the opposition party, as its convention was overshadowed by mass expulsions and internal disagreements among top leaders.
While the convention reaffirmed Turaki as the new face of the party, the rejection of the expulsions by governors Fintiri and Mutfwang underscores widening fractures within the PDP.
Turaki’s leadership will be immediately tested by efforts to reconcile aggrieved factions, restore internal unity, and reposition the party ahead of upcoming political battles.
