Tanimu Turaki endorsed as Consensus candidate for PDP Chairmanship

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 party’s National Chairman ahead of the 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 following a PDP leaders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Fintiri confirmed Turaki as the consensus choice while emphasizing that any aspirant dissatisfied with the decision remains free to contest.

Turaki, a seasoned legal practitioner, has extensive experience in constitutional law, election petition litigation, commercial arbitration, international criminal law, intellectual property, oil and gas, and mergers and acquisitions. He previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

During its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting 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, with Northern leaders further micro-zoning the chairmanship to the Northwest.

Earlier reports indicated that former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and Turaki were in close contention for the position. Fintiri, who also chairs the National Convention Organising Committee, explained that after extensive consultations with leaders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Turaki emerged as the unanimous consensus choice.

“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,” Fintiri said, adding that the door remains open for anyone who still wishes to contest.

Fintiri also addressed concerns about rising tension within the party, assuring that the PDP has strong internal mechanisms to manage disputes and promising a “rancour-free convention.”

The endorsement comes amid growing internal tensions, particularly among supporters of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are reportedly unhappy with the leadership style of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum. Disputes over unresolved leadership issues in the South-South, control of party structures in states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, and micro-zoning of key positions have fueled dissatisfaction.

The internal crisis has extended to the courts. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, alongside the South-South Zonal Secretary, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of breaching the party constitution and election guidelines. The Federal High Court adjourned the matter to October 16 after a dispute arose over who was legally authorised to represent the PDP in court.

Meanwhile, a security investigation has been launched following claims by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu that he did not sign the August 29 letter notifying INEC of the convention. The PDP leadership has dismissed Anyanwu’s claims, backing the investigation.

Those present at the Northern PDP meeting included Governors Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang, and Dauda Lawal; former governors Ahmed Makarfi and Sule Lamido; Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Minister of Information Professor Jerry Gana; and Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, among other party leaders.

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