The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as its new National Chairman. His emergence was confirmed on Saturday during the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Turaki, who ran as the sole candidate for the top position, secured a total of 1,516 votes, sealing his leadership of Nigeria’s main opposition party. His unopposed run followed the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State, who nonetheless garnered 275 votes.
In other results, Solarin Sunday Adekunle was elected 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 elected.
The leadership changes come months after the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South in August, which in line with party tradition, positioned the National Chairmanship for the North.
Turaki’s candidacy received significant backing in October when key North-West stakeholders endorsed him as the consensus candidate during a series of strategic meetings.
Among the prominent leaders present at the endorsement meeting were Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; and acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Also in attendance were former Senate President Bukola Saraki; elder statesman Jerry Gana; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and former Minister of Education Ibrahim Shekarau, among others.
Turaki is expected to lead efforts to reposition the PDP ahead of upcoming electoral cycles and strengthen its role as the major opposition force in Nigeria.
