The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as key leaders from the North West zone have openly rejected the purported endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman.
The rejection followed widespread reports that some northern stakeholders, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, had reached an agreement to back Turaki for the top party position.
Speaking after a crucial meeting in Abuja, the North West PDP leaders dismissed the alleged endorsement, describing it as “unilateral, undemocratic, and unacceptable.”
Addressing journalists, Umar Bature, the party’s National Organising Secretary, accused Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal of acting without proper consultation. According to Bature, the governor initially convened a meeting to deliberate on possible candidates but later postponed it—only to later announce Turaki’s endorsement without input from other leaders.
“We want to make it categorically clear that the North West zone has not adopted anyone as its consensus candidate for the PDP national chairmanship,” Bature stated. “There is growing resentment due to the lack of consultation and transparency in the entire process.”
He further noted that the procedure violated the party’s democratic principles, stressing that no official zonal meeting had been held to arrive at a consensus.
“It is contradictory to call something a consensus when no collective decision was made. What happened is not only misleading but also undermines internal democracy in our party,” he added.
Prominent figures present at the Abuja meeting included Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; Isa Ashiru, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Kaduna State; Garba Lado, the 2023 governorship candidate from Katsina; and several other senior members of the party.
The division highlights a deeper internal rift within the PDP, which continues to grapple with factional disputes between loyalists of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, as the party prepares for its national convention.
Analysts say the controversy over Turaki’s alleged adoption could further destabilize the opposition party unless urgent reconciliation measures are taken.
