Kabiru Turaki (SAN), a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, has been elected as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Turaki was announced as the new chairman during the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from 17 states gathered to cast their votes for national officers.
Senator Ben Obi, a former lawmaker representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, reported that Turaki received 1,516 votes during the polling, which took place at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday.
The PDP national convention occurred at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Obi noted that Senator Yakubu Danmarke secured 275 votes, with a total of 1,834 votes cast, and 43 votes deemed invalid.
“It is clear from the votes cast that Kabiru Turaki has won the position of National Chairman of the PDP with a total of 1,516 votes,” he declared.
Additionally, he announced that Solarin Adekunle was elected as the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the PDP, with two national positions contested.
A total of 3,131 delegates participated in the voting process, while 2,745 were accredited.
**‘No More Impunity’**
In his acceptance speech, Turaki assured party members and supporters that he would not take the confidence placed in him for granted. He promised to fulfill the mandate given to him.
Reflecting on the history of the PDP, the SAN stated, “Today, the only political party that has retained its name is the Peoples Democratic Party. This has been possible because this is the party for the Nigerian people. Make no mistake; we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.”
The former minister pledged that the party would listen to Nigerians and respond to their needs. He expressed a commitment to reunite the party by inviting back former members.
“We will appeal to you to return because the task ahead of us is to save Nigerian democracy and protect Nigeria from the brink,” he added.
Turaki also mentioned that the party would soon outline its guiding principles and begin its initiatives.
At 54, Turaki hails from Kebbi State and graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Jos, Plateau State, before being called to the bar after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He has over 25 years of experience in legal practice and was a candidate for the Kebbi State governorship election in 2011. He was sworn in as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by then-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and appointed Minister of Special Duties in February 2013.
**Ibadan Convention**
Delegates at the PDP convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, voted according to their respective states to elect national officers of the party.
The national convention, held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, saw attendance from delegates across 17 states.
Governors present included Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), along with PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Notable attendees included Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Gombe Governor Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, among others.
The convention proceeded despite ongoing legal disputes regarding its legitimacy, as the PDP continues to navigate an internal leadership crisis that has caused divisions within the party.
