Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North 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 convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The announcement was made by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who spoke on behalf of the Northern zone after a meeting of PDP leaders held in Abuja on Wednesday night. Fintiri declared Turaki as the consensus candidate, while also noting that any aspirant dissatisfied with the decision is free to contest.
Turaki is a seasoned legal practitioner with vast expertise in constitutional law, election petition litigation, commercial arbitration, international criminal law, intellectual property, oil and gas, and mergers and acquisitions.
He previously served as the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as the Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
During its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja on August 25, the PDP resolved to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the National Chairmanship position to the North. Subsequently, Northern leaders further micro-zoned the chairmanship slot to the Northwest.
Earlier on Wednesday, reports indicated that former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; and Tanimu Turaki were in close contention for the position, which was expected to be decided during the zonal stakeholders’ meeting this week.
Fintiri, who also chairs the National Convention Organising Committee, explained that following wide-ranging consultations with party leaders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Turaki emerged as the unanimous consensus choice for the position of PDP National Chairman.
He stated, “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.
“In our meeting, we have reflected deeply and widely through consultations, and as we go to Ibadan for our national convention, we have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North, and by extension, Nigeria, as the Chairman of the PDP.
“That gentleman is K.T. Turaki, SAN. This is our decision this evening, and he is the person we are presenting at that convention for that position.
“I will not want to preclude what others are speculating outside, but we are gentlemen, and as you can see, we are all leaders. We represent each of the states in the North, the 19 states, including Abuja, the FCT. This is our decision, and we expect this to be the lineup of our delegates in Ibadan.”
Fintiri added that all other positions would be resolved at the regional level, with delegates presenting their candidates at the convention.
“Altogether, we have ten positions in the North as far as the convention is concerned. Nevertheless, anybody who still feels they want to contest for any position is free, and this is what our position allows.
“We are not excluding anybody. But then, we have just announced to you our consensus candidate as far as these leaders are concerned.
“If anybody still feels he wants to contest, I have said it time without number that the door is open. Anybody who wants to contest for whatever position can do so,” the governor said.
When asked about the rising tension within the party, Fintiri, who also serves as Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee, stated that the PDP has strong internal mechanisms for managing disputes.
He said, “Of course, the PDP is an institution, and we have mechanisms to handle all these issues. We will reach out and talk to each other.
“We’ve been talking to ourselves, not today, not yesterday. This is a build-up of consensus over the last two weeks, and this is just the result of our consultation. I’m assuring you that the convention will be a rancour-free convention.
“We are still united and focused, and our primary responsibility at the moment is the convention. This is what we are discussing primarily.”
The development comes amid heightened tension within the party as preparations continue for its national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16.
Although the event is confirmed to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, there is growing dissatisfaction among supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are reportedly displeased with the leadership style of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Wike’s loyalists are said to be upset over unresolved leadership issues in the South-South, power tussles for control of party structures in states such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, and disputes surrounding the micro-zoning of key elective positions ahead of the convention.
The internal crisis has now extended to the courts. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States—Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Abraham Nnanna—alongside the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George—accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of breaching the party’s constitution and election guidelines.
Presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the matter was adjourned to October 16 after a dispute arose regarding who was legally authorised to represent the PDP in court.
Both the party’s Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN) claimed the right to act in that capacity, prompting the judge to order both parties to submit proof of authorisation before the next hearing on October 20.
A letter dated October 16, signed by 14 members of the National Working Committee, later reaffirmed the decision to remove Ajibade and appoint Chief Uche (SAN) as his replacement. However, Ajibade maintains that only a national convention can remove him from office.
In a related development, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, wrote to 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 demanded an investigation into the matter.
The PDP leadership has since dismissed Anyanwu’s claims and backed a security investigation into the issue, raising further concerns that internal conflicts, forgery allegations, and legal battles could threaten the party’s smooth transition of leadership.
Those present at the Northern PDP meeting included the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; PDP Board of Trustees Secretary and former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi; and Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Others in attendance were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Minister of Information Professor Jerry Gana, and Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, among several other party leaders.
