Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, has been elected the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party following the party’s national convention held in Ibadan on Saturday.
The announcement was made by former senator Ben Obi, who coordinated the proceedings. Turaki emerged as the only candidate in the race after Katsina governorship candidate Lado Danmarke pulled out shortly before voting began.
Even with his withdrawal, Danmarke still attracted 275 delegate votes, while Turaki secured 1,516 votes out of the total 1,834 ballots cast. According to Obi, 43 votes were declared invalid.
At the same convention, Solarin Sunday Adekunle was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary with 633 votes. Several other positions had no challengers, and their nominees were returned unopposed. However, the elections for National Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser were postponed.
A total of 3,131 party delegates were expected at the convention, with 2,745 eventually accredited.
The event drew several PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau. Notable absentees included Governors Ademola Adeleke, Siminalayi Fubara, and Agbu Kefas. Other prominent party leaders such as Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara were also present.
Turaki’s emergence follows the party’s earlier decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North. In October, key stakeholders from the North West had endorsed him as their preferred candidate after a series of strategic meetings.
The endorsement group included several governors, acting national chairman Umar Damagum, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former ministers Jerry Gana and Ibrahim Shekarau, and senior lawmakers.
With his new mandate, Turaki is expected to steer the party into a decisive phase ahead of the 2027 elections.
