…vows reconciliation, democratic consolidation across Nigeria
By Sodiq Adelakun
The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has vowed to return political power to Nigerians and restore the party’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and justice.
Speaking after the swearing-in of the party’s new officers at the conclusion of the PDP National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, early Sunday morning, Turaki assured that the new leadership would listen to members’ concerns and align party decisions with their will.
Turkish said: “No more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians. No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. If baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He emphasised that the PDP has retained its original name, motto, and logo, which he described as a recognised and respected brand across the country.
Turaki also called on the judiciary to uphold the principle of stare decisis, warning against any actions that could be perceived as undermining Nigerian democracy.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the convention, the newly appointed National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described the leadership transition as a time for reconciliation and rebirth.
“This is a renaissance for the PDP, like raising a new building from an old foundation. We are committed to consensus, fairness, and justice.
“Beyond the party, we are focused on what is good for Nigeria. A vibrant opposition is essential to prevent elections from merely producing authoritarianism,”Ememobong said.
On the expulsion of some party figures, including Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose, Ememobong stated that these decisions were made collectively at the convention, citing past wrongdoings against the party.
The convention also elected other key officers, including Alhaji Hamza Koshe as Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Daniel Ambrose Woyengikuro as Deputy National Chairman (South), and Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladeko as National Secretary.
The full list of National Working Committee members was announced, covering roles such as Treasurer, Legal Adviser, Women and Youth Leaders, and Organising and Financial Secretaries.
Turaki acknowledged that the party faces challenges at a critical juncture but expressed confidence in the new executive’s ability to deliver.
He promised that a clear roadmap and operational guidelines would be shared in the coming days and reassured aggrieved members that their grievances would be addressed amicably.
“This is our opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, restore confidence in political processes, and ensure that the voice of every Nigerian counts,” Turaki added.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has commended Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for what it described as his decisive role in stabilising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday that the successful national convention had renewed public confidence in the PDP’s ability to offer “genuine democratic leadership”.
According to him, “The successful conduct of the PDP National Convention has restored the confidence of Nigerians who have long yearned for genuine democratic leadership.”
Atofarati noted that the emergence of new national officers marked a turning point for the opposition party, saying the leadership now has room to organise without internal distractions.
“With the election of these eminent leaders into the National Executive Committee, the PDP can now focus without unnecessary distractions and begin galvanising support ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Atofarati also praised Makinde for his role in preventing deeper division within the party during months of internal tension.
“Governor Seyi Makinde has once again demonstrated exemplary leadership and must be commended for saving the party from total collapse,” he said.
“He can best be described as the biblical Moses of the PDP, whose collaborative efforts with other well-meaning leaders have given the party a new lease of life.”
The publicity secretary congratulated all newly elected members of the National Executive Committee, expressing confidence in their capacity “to provide credible leadership that will entrench discipline and commitment to the ideals of the party”.
He also thanked PDP governors for their solidarity and commended the Oyo State Government and residents for ensuring a peaceful convention in Ibadan.
The convention produced former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the new national chairman of the PDP, following weeks of consultations and endorsements from influential North-West stakeholders.
Governors present at the event included Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).
The party had earlier zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and its national chairmanship to the North, in line with its rotation policy.
For months, the PDP had been split between factions loyal to Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, resulting in legal battles over whether the convention would proceed. The successful exercise appears to have calmed tensions within the party’s ranks.
Meanehile, The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its National Convention held in Ibadan on Saturday, describing the gathering as “illegal, lawless, and a carnival of shame.”
The convention, organised by the faction loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, went ahead despite several court orders directing that the exercise be suspended. Delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory reportedly attended to elect new national officers.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Olawale Sadare, the APC accused Governor Makinde of ignoring the judiciary and creating hardship for residents. He alleged that commercial drivers were compelled to abandon their routes and crowd the venue to give an impression of a successful convention.
“PDP has always been known for impunity, and it played out again when a group within the party called the bluff of the courts to stage what they described as a national convention,” Sadare said.
He also criticised Governor Makinde for allegedly diverting a portion of the September allocations of the 33 local government councils to fund what he called a “political jamboree,” claiming that several PDP governors declined to contribute financially.
According to him, the governor’s ambition for national leadership contrasts sharply with what he described as the administration’s “poor performance at home,” citing unresolved complaints from residents affected by property demolitions for the Ibadan Circular Road project.
Sadare warned that those involved would eventually give account of every public fund used for the event, insisting that the “kangaroo convention” marked the beginning of the PDP’s collapse.
However, he noted that the party still had an opportunity to reconcile its factions if it hoped to remain politically relevant.
“It is clear they have already lost 2027; their only chance is to prepare early if they want any relevance by 2031,” he added.
