Former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, has been elected the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
His victory was announced by Senator Ben Obi, who represented Anambra Central in the National Assembly.
Obi explained that Turaki ended up as the sole contender for the position after Katsina governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Lado Danmarke, stepped down shortly before voting began.
Even after pulling out, Danmarke still garnered 275 delegate votes, while Turaki received 1,516 votes. Announcing the result, Obi stated, “It is therefore clear from the votes cast that Taminu Turaki has won the position of National Chairman of the PDP with a total of 1,516 votes.”
According to him, 1,834 votes were cast in total, with 43 declared invalid.
Obi also announced the outcome of several other positions, including the Deputy National Organising Secretary, won by Solarin Sunday Adekunle with 633 votes. Two posts — National Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser — were suspended, while 17 offices with single candidates were affirmed uncontested.
He revealed that 3,131 delegates were expected at the convention, with 2,745 successfully accredited.
The convention drew several key party figures, including governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau. However, Governors Ademola Adeleke, Siminalayi Fubara, and Agbu Kefas were notably absent.
Other prominent attendees included Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, ex-Osun governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Gombe governor Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, and the party’s BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
Saturday’s outcome follows the PDP National Executive Committee’s August decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North. Ahead of the convention, several influential North-West leaders had endorsed Turaki as their preferred candidate during meetings held in October.
Among those backing him were governors of Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa, and Zamfara; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Information Minister Jerry Gana; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and ex-Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau.
