The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as its new national chairman.
Turaki emerged during the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
As the sole contender for the top position, Turaki secured 1,516 votes, following the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina State. Despite stepping down, Danmarke still received 275 votes.
In other results, Solarin Sunday Adekunle was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary with 633 votes.
The positions of Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser were stepped down, while 17 other positions were unopposed and returned elected.
Earlier in August, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, which in line with party tradition, placed the national chairmanship in the North.
Subsequently, during consultations in October, key North-West stakeholders endorsed Turaki as their consensus candidate. Those at the meeting included Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed; Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang; Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri; Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal; and Umar Damagum.
Also present were former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Information Minister Jerry Gana; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and former Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau, among others.