North-West PDP Leaders Reject Turaki’s Endorsement as Consensus Chairman

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North-West zone have distanced themselves from the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the region’s consensus candidate for National Chairman ahead of the party’s November national convention.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, representing the North-West stakeholders, described the endorsement as “unilateral” and not reflective of the collective position of the zone.

The announcement by Turaki’s adoption came on Wednesday from Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee. He stated that Turaki had been adopted as the consensus candidate by governors and Northern leaders but added that any aspirant dissatisfied with the decision could still contest.

Bature clarified that the North-West zone had not met to endorse any candidate, stressing that their preferred choice would be announced in due course.

“A meeting was held yesterday with other leaders of the northern zones, and a name was reportedly adopted. The North-West has not met to agree on that position. That is why we are here today,” Bature said.

He further accused party leaders of failing to consult the zone, adding: “We believe we are the strongest zone in the PDP, and the attitude of our leaders in this regard made us take this position. We are going to have our own candidate that we will nominate for the National Chairman position. Consensus can only result from proper consultation.”

Bature pointed out that the PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting in August zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the National Chairmanship to the North, and subsequently, Northern leaders micro-zoned the chairmanship slot to the North-West.

Those present at the meeting included former governors Ahmed Makarfi and Sule Lamido, PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Professor Jerry Gana, and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, among others.

He concluded: “If it’s an open contest, others should have been allowed to come out and contest. But adoption of a candidate without consultation undermines the principle of consensus. As far as we are concerned, North-West has not endorsed anyone.”

Among the notable attendees were former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri, Mustapha Lamido, son of ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and PDP 2023 Kaduna governorship candidate, Isah Ashiru Kudan.