The endorsement of a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party has sparked opposition from camps loyal to ex-Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
This is ahead of the PDP’s National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Our correspondent also gathered that the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has emerged as the South-West zone’s consensus candidate for the position of National Secretary.
Speaking on the issue, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, who downplayed the disagreement, assured that efforts were being made to carry all stakeholders along.
During the PDP 102nd National Executive Committee meeting held on August 25 in Abuja, the party resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while the position of National Chairman was reserved for the North.
Following this decision, Northern leaders met over the weekend and further micro-zoned the chairmanship position to the North-West.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi; ex-Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; and the former Minister of Special Duties, Turaki, had emerged as the leading contenders for the top seat.
The decision was expected to be finalised at a zonal stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting, attended by key party figures including PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; PDP Board of Trustees Secretary, Ahmed Makarfi; and Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, also had in attendance former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, among others.
At the end of deliberations, the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, announced on behalf of the governors and northern leaders that Turaki had been adopted as the consensus candidate for the National Chairmanship position.
He, however, clarified that any aspirant who disagreed with the consensus arrangement was free to contest at the convention.
The PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, while speaking on behalf of some northern leaders, refuted claims that the North-West had endorsed Turaki.
He stressed that no such meeting was held and that the zone would soon make public its preferred candidate.
