PDP Stakeholders Support Turaki As Consensus Chairman, Warn Against Destabilisers

Akin Bamidele reports on the ongoing leadership selection process within the PDP

Following the recent appointment of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a former Minister of Special Duties, as the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), there has been a wave of reactions across the country.Various stakeholders, including party leaders and governors, have voiced their support for this decision made during the party’s recent meeting in Abuja.

The decision involves zoning the party’s chairmanship position to the Northwest region and installing Tanimu Turaki as the party leader in that capacity. This move is seen as a strategic effort to promote fairness, regional balance, and inclusive political participation within the party, reflecting the broader dynamics of Nigerian politics and the party’s commitment to national unity.

Chief Sunday Olaifa, a prominent figure in Lagos politics and a hopeful candidate for the position of State Party chairman, emphasised the importance of unity within the party in a statement from Lagos.

He stressed the need for a consensus-driven approach to selecting a leader—one who is not only loyal and capable but also highly respected by party members. Such a leader, he believes, is essential for guiding the party effectively and achieving its strategic goals.

Olaifa further identified Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as a key figure who could play a pivotal role in fostering effective leadership.

Turaki’s chairmanship, according to Olaifa, could help ensure transparent, inclusive nominations of strong candidates for the upcoming elections, which are vital to strengthening the party’s unity, cohesion, and electoral prospects.

The Lagos party leader also views the move by those opposing the consensus built around Turaki as destabilising and urged all to work towards stability and unity within the party.

Reacting to the plans of some individuals in the Northwest who are reportedly preparing to oppose Turaki’s appointment as the party’s chairman, Mallam Umar Sani, a seasoned politician and former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has come forward with serious allegations.

He claims there is a conspiracy orchestrated by certain influential party members from the North-West, working in collusion with a Southern politician, with the intent to destabilise and weaken the party’s unity and stability.

In a detailed statement titled “The Charade of a Northwest Meeting,” Sani emphasised that the role of the national chairman of the party transcends regional boundaries and is emblematic of the entire federation.

He pointed out that the process of selecting PDP chairmen has historically been transparent and inclusive, with prominent figures like Solomon Lar and Adamu Mu’azu rising to leadership through broad consultations and the influence of powerful internal party blocs. Sani’s remarks serve as a reminder that the party’s leadership should be determined by merit and consensus rather than regional or partisan scheming.

A senior member of the party from Nigeria’s South-South region, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes that the core issue at hand isn’t specifically Kabiru Tanimu Turaki himself, but rather the overall stability and unity of the party.

He expressed scepticism about the sudden appearance of certain obscure individuals claiming to oppose the decisions and discussions that have been openly debated and agreed upon by established party leaders. To date, no substantial or credible evidence has been put forward to challenge Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s integrity or actions. Instead, what we are witnessing appears to be a series of smear campaigns and false accusations orchestrated by individuals whose true motives for the party remain suspicious and whose loyalty is questionable. Such tactics threaten to undermine the hard-won unity and progress the party has made, and it’s crucial for the leadership to remain vigilant against these divisive efforts.

As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) approaches its upcoming elective convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, the entire nation remains eager to observe whether the party will present a united front or continue to face internal divisions.

This convention is seen as a critical juncture that could either reinforce the party’s cohesion and readiness to challenge the political landscape or expose lingering rifts that could undermine its electoral ambitions. The outcome of this gathering will undoubtedly have significant implications for the party’s future unity and political strategies.