Amid rising tension surrounding the forthcoming national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Northern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have agreed to zone the position of national chairman to the North-West in a move aimed at unifying the party ahead of the crucial event.
According to PDP leaders involved in the transition process, it was resolved at a meeting of Northern stakeholders held in Abuja last weekend that the North-West zone should produce the next national chairman. The three northern zones are expected this week to decide on consensus candidates for other key offices.
Sources within the party revealed that the North-West would likely choose between former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, with Turaki reportedly enjoying early majority support.
A senior party official familiar with the matter said that Turaki was the favourite to become the next PDP national chairman, noting that he had the backing of influential stakeholders, including the few remaining PDP governors.
He said, “The noise and tension in the party ahead of the convention are expected because it’s a democratic setting where members’ interests naturally differ. With an elective convention coming up in November in Ibadan, such disagreements are not unusual.
“However, despite these tensions, the party is making progress. Stakeholders are meeting, and discussions are ongoing about zoning and sharing of positions.
“Over the weekend, northern leaders, including governors, former governors, serving senators, and former principal officers of the National Assembly met in Abuja to deliberate on the region’s position, particularly concerning the office of the national chairman, which is the most senior position in the party.
“It was agreed that the position of national chairman should be micro-zoned to the North-West.
“Consequently, the zone is expected to produce the next national chairman of the party. As of now, the major contenders include the former Minister of Special Duties, who enjoys the support of several governors and majority of members from the North-West and beyond, Turaki is likely going to be the next PDP National Chairman. Also, the former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; and former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, are also in the race.
“The final decision will be made after the various zones conclude their consultations. The North-West, North-East, North-Central, and South-West are all expected to meet and produce consensus candidates for their respective positions. Before the week ends, the list of consensus candidates, including that of the national chairman, is expected to be ready. Don’t forget that the committee is still selling forms. If things go as expected in Turaki’s favour, he will resign from his current position as Co-Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee to pick the form.”
The North currently occupies several top National Working Committee positions, including the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Legal Adviser, National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader, and National Treasurer, along with the National Vice Chairmen representing the North-East, North-West, and North-Central.
Although the convention has been fixed for Ibadan, dissatisfaction remains among supporters of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is reportedly displeased with the leadership of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
Wike’s allies are said to be frustrated by ongoing leadership disputes in the South-South, struggles for control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and other states, as well as disagreements over the micro-zoning of elective positions ahead of the convention.
The internal crisis has escalated into a legal dispute. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia states, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Nnanna, alongside South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of violating the party’s constitution and internal election procedures.
The case, presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was adjourned to October 16 after a disagreement over who was authorised to represent the PDP in court.
The party’s Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN) both claimed to be the legitimate counsel, prompting the judge to order them to present proof of authorisation before the next hearing on October 20.
Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the National Working Committee reaffirmed the decision to remove Ajibade and appoint Chief Uche (SAN) in his place. However, Ajibade insisted that only a national convention had the power to remove him.
In a new development, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed October 31 for judgment in the suit seeking to halt the Ibadan convention over alleged breaches of the party’s constitution.
Justice Omotosho announced the date after hearing arguments for and against the suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party.
The plaintiffs — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — are seeking an order to stop the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are to be elected.
They alleged that the planned convention contravened the PDP Constitution.
The nine defendants listed in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission; the PDP; the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; the National Working Committee; the National Executive Committee; Umar Damagum; Ali Odefa; and Emmanuel Ogidi.
During the hearing, Justice Omotosho reiterated his earlier order for all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention, warning that any breach of the directive could render actions taken null and void.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to treat the matter as an effort to uphold the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP Constitution, rather than dismiss it as an internal party dispute.
Daudu argued that the Nigerian Constitution required INEC to monitor political party congresses before they could be deemed valid.
He maintained that no valid congresses had been held in 14 states before the PDP’s NWC and NEC issued notices for the November convention.
However, the acting chairman, Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), requested that the court decline jurisdiction, asserting that matters concerning conventions and congresses were internal party affairs.
This position was supported by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), counsel for the NWC and NEC, who maintained that the courts had no authority to interfere in the internal operations of a political party.
Separately, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Department of State Services, denying that he signed the August 29 letter notifying INEC of the planned convention and calling for an investigation into the alleged forgery.
Despite the party’s dismissal of Anyanwu’s claims and its endorsement of a probe into his allegations by the Department of State Services, the controversy has heightened uncertainty over the convention. It has also raised fears that the internal rift, forgery claims, and court cases might disrupt preparations for the PDP’s leadership transition.
Speaking on the consensus process that could determine the next party chairman, a PDP leader from the North-West clarified that the arrangement would not prevent anyone from contesting, noting that any dissatisfied member from any zone remained free to run for office.
“The PDP constitution allows for both consensus and open contest, giving stakeholders room to agree while respecting the rights of others to contest,” he said.
Another Northern party leader confirmed that during their recent meeting, the majority agreed that the national chairman’s position should go to the North-West.
“Other positions were also micro-zoned in a kind of swap arrangement; some offices initially allocated to the North-West were moved to other geopolitical zones. The leaders of the three northern zones – North-West, North-East, and North-Central – will now convene separate meetings within their zones this week to decide on consensus candidates for the various positions.
“As of now, the former Minister of Special Duties (Turaki) is in the race and may emerge chairman as he enjoys majority support, while some party leaders are also supporting Lamido for the position of national chairman. Also in the race from the North-West is former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi.
“When the North-West leaders meet later this week, they are expected to agree on a consensus candidate. However, that will not prevent others from contesting as anyone who disagrees with the consensus is free to participate. That is the beauty of democracy. So, that is the stage we are at now.”
Confirming the micro-zoning arrangement, a former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Umar Tsauri, said that positions initially zoned to the North-West had been further micro-zoned to the North-East, while those for the North-Central had been reassigned to the North-West.
Tsauri said in an interview, “Yes, the majority agreed that the national chairman should go to the North-West, but a few people have reservations and say they have a minority stance. But the majority agreed with that. In fact, as far as the Northern Caucus is concerned, the position has been micro-zoned to the North-West.
“The North-Central wanted to have the national chairman, but the majority supported the North-West because the contest was between North-Central and North-West. What the party leaders for the North did was: all the positions currently occupied by people from the North-West go to the North-East, and those from the North-East go to the North-Central; the positions of the North-Central have been zoned to the North-West. It is now the prerogative of the zones to do what we call consensus.”
When asked about the likely candidates, the former PDP national secretary said the zonal leaders would make an official announcement soon.
He stated, “You’ll have to wait until the time comes. It’s not for you to know now because this is an internal matter. We don’t bring it out until we finish, likely before Monday, you will be able to know.
“Even without asking me, you’ll know those who are interested or the person they’ll zero in on. Each zone will look at who is going to take which position and report when the Chairman of the Convention Committee calls us. Definitely, whatever is going to be done will be done within the week.
“All those positions zoned to North-Central, North-West, and North-East will be brought to the same Northern Caucus. Then, we’ll announce the consensus candidate who are going to contest.
“But if someone feels uncomfortable with the arrangement, he’s free to contest. Zoning is only meant to avoid unnecessary conflicts. That’s our interest, that’s why we are micro-zoning.”
Reacting to developments within the party, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed claims of crisis, saying that the November convention would mark a new beginning for a stronger PDP.
He said, “There are no issues in our party. Everything happening shows that the party is a democratic one, and it allows people to contest their opinions, express their views, and abide by their interests. And that’s what is important.
“What is important to us is that the convention will hold on November 15 and 16 as scheduled in Ibadan, and we are going to elect a new set of leaders. This convention will pick new leaders that will position the party, and Nigerians are interested in what is going on.
“They are interested in the affairs of the party. They are interested in what the party leadership is doing. They are interested in the convention because they are tired of the clueless All Progressives Congress administration, and they are looking up to the PDP to return and change things for good.
“So, the convention will produce new leadership that will bring in competent leaders who will run on the party’s ticket in the 2027 general elections.”
