The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened after the Party’s Leaders of the North West zone rejected the reported adoption of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the party.
Their reaction comes after reports surfaced that some northern PDP stakeholders had endorsed Turaki during a meeting reportedly convened by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
However, addressing journalists after a separate meeting in Abuja, North West PDP leaders said the purported endorsement did not reflect the collective position of the zone’s stakeholders.
‘No consultation, no consensus’ — North West leaders insist
Speaking on behalf of the group, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, accused Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal of acting unilaterally by endorsing Turaki without consulting other party leaders from the zone.
Bature explained that Governor Lawal had earlier called for a meeting to deliberate on possible candidates for the national chairmanship position zoned to the North West, but later postponed it before proceeding to adopt a candidate on his own.
“We want to make it clear that this zone has not adopted anybody as a candidate for the PDP chairmanship,” Bature said.
“There is a lot of resentment due to the lack of consultation among leaders in this zone.”
He maintained that the move was inconsistent with the spirit of consensus, adding that no formal meeting had been held to reach such a decision.
Leaders decry breach of internal democracy
The North West stakeholders also questioned the credibility of what some party figures described as an “open contest,” saying it was deceptive when a candidate had already been handpicked behind closed doors.
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They warned that the action undermines internal democracy and risks further division within the party.
“You cannot claim to promote openness when leaders from key states have not been consulted,” one of the participants said off record. “The North West remains a critical bloc in the PDP, and decisions like this must be collective.”
Among those present at the Abuja meeting were Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido; Isa Ashiru, the PDP’s 2023 Kaduna State governorship candidate; Garba Lado, the 2023 Katsina State candidate; and several other influential leaders from the zone.
Crisis deepens ahead of national convention
Party insiders believe the latest disagreement reflects the broader split within the PDP between factions loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and those aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, as preparations intensify for the party’s forthcoming national convention.
The North West bloc, one of the strongest voting regions in the PDP, is seen as vital to the party’s restructuring and power balance ahead of 2027.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
