Kabiru Turaki, a former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, has been elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a decisive vote by delegates at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State. Turaki’s emergence marks a new chapter for the opposition party, which is seeking to reposition itself ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Delegates from 17 states participated in the convention, casting ballots to select new national officers who will pilot the affairs of the party. Turaki, a senior lawyer and long-standing PDP chieftain, clinched the chairmanship after securing broad support across various geopolitical blocs, underscoring his influence and acceptance within the party’s national structure.
Read also: Governor Mutfwang distances self as PDP boots out Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu
His election comes at a time the PDP is grappling with internal divisions, state-level disputes, and the need to consolidate its national leadership to restore voter confidence. Party leaders at the venue described Turaki’s victory as strategic, saying it offers an opportunity to strengthen internal cohesion and rebuild the organisation’s national presence.
The convention, which drew top members, governors, former governors, and key stakeholders, featured deliberations on the party’s direction, ongoing reconciliation efforts, and the validation of executives elected through congresses across the country. Security at the main event ground in Ibadan was tight, with delegates arriving in batches for accreditation before voting commenced.
According to party officials, the election process was largely peaceful, with delegates queueing behind their preferred candidates. Observers noted that the turnout from the 17 participating states demonstrated renewed interest in reshaping the party’s leadership after months of uncertainty.
Turaki, who previously served as minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, has held various strategic roles within the PDP. His elevation to national chairman places him at the centre of efforts to unify the party’s factions, strengthen grassroots structures, and prepare for future national and state elections.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki thanked the delegates for entrusting him with the mandate to lead, promising to uphold transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. He pledged to intensify reconciliation across state chapters and build a leadership framework that reflects the party’s founding principles of equity and justice.
He also called on aggrieved members to return to the fold, emphasising that the PDP’s strength lies in its diversity and collective experience. “Our task is to rebuild, reconnect with the people, and restore hope,” he said, urging party supporters nationwide to remain steadfast.
The outgoing leadership expressed confidence that the new executive team, headed by Turaki, would reposition the party to play a more assertive role in Nigeria’s democratic landscape. Several governors and top party figures who attended the convention described the election outcome as a renewal of the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy.
Read also: PDP crisis: Those who expelled me are intoxicated — Wike
With the convention concluded, attention now shifts to how Turaki and his team will navigate the complex political terrain, address internal disputes, and craft strategies to strengthen the PDP’s national competitiveness. His leadership, analysts say, will significantly shape the party’s trajectory in the coming years as it seeks to reclaim lost ground and reassert itself as a formidable opposition force.
