By Iyunade Grace
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Special Duties, was elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a fiercely contested national convention in Ibadan. Delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory gathered, but the atmosphere was anything but calm – disputes over zoning, accreditation delays and accusations of last‑minute manoeuvring by rival factions turned the venue into a pressure cooker, with security tightened as groups traded barbs and briefly halted proceedings before voting could begin .
Despite the turbulence, Turaki emerged with a clear majority, clinching the chairmanship after a marathon of vote collation that stretched into the early hours of Sunday. Party agents and observers monitored the count, and his victory was finally announced as the sun rose, confirming him as the new leader of the opposition party .
In his acceptance speech, Turaki thanked the delegates for their trust and pledged to mend the party’s fractures. “We must rebuild trust and restore unity. This mandate is not for me alone but for the collective renewal of our great party,” he declared, promising to reshape the PDP into a stronger, more united force ahead of the 2027 elections .
Party heavyweights – including several governors and former National Working Committee members – called on disappointed aspirants to accept the result and rally behind the new leadership. Yet, some contestants refused to concede, alleging irregularities and vowing to seek redress through the PDP’s internal mechanisms .
The Ibadan convention is being hailed as a watershed moment for a party that has been wrestling with deep‑seated rifts. Turaki is expected to launch immediate consultations aimed at reconciling the warring factions and charting a fresh strategic direction for the PDP .
Adding to the drama, the convention also saw the suspension of high‑profile members such as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose and former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, underscoring how polarized the party has become. Whether the new leadership can stitch these wounds together will be the true test in the days ahead .
