PDP Elects Kabiru Turaki as National Chairman Amid Major Purge of Party Dissidents
IBADAN – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki as its new National Chairman during a contentious national convention that saw the dramatic expulsion of several high-profile members, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
A New Leadership Era
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, secured a decisive victory with 1,516 votes against Senator Yakubu Danmarke’s 275 votes during Saturday’s convention at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. The election, which saw 2,745 accredited delegates from 17 states participate, marks a significant turning point for Nigeria’s main opposition party as it attempts to rebuild after the 2023 electoral defeats.
In his acceptance speech, the 54-year-old from Kebbi State struck a conciliatory yet reformist tone, declaring: “We are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.” He emphasized that the PDP would “listen to Nigerians and give them what they want” while working to reunite the party by bringing back those who have left.
The Purge: Expulsions and Immediate Backlash
Before voting commenced, the convention took a dramatic turn when party chieftain Bode George moved for the expulsion of 11 key members, citing “activities inconsistent with the party’s collective interest.” The motion, quickly seconded by the Bauchi State PDP chairman and unanimously ratified by delegates, targeted what the party described as “anti-party activities and fostering disunity with series of litigation against the interests of the party.”
Among those expelled were National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and eight others. The party also dissolved its structures in five states: Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers – a move that signals a comprehensive restructuring of the party’s organizational framework.
However, the expulsions immediately drew internal opposition. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who served as Chairman of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, released a statement declaring the decision “not in the best interest of the party.” He emphasized: “I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration.”
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang similarly rejected the expulsions, noting that the matter “was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the motion was presented.” He argued that expelling party leaders at this crucial time “was not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.”
Historical Context and Political Implications
The expulsions represent the culmination of long-simmering tensions within the party, particularly surrounding Wike’s very public support for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress during the 2023 presidential election. Despite serving in Tinubu’s cabinet as FCT Minister, Wike had maintained his PDP membership until Saturday’s convention.
In an October 2024 interview, Wike defended his actions, stating: “For the presidential election, I said I am going to support equity, fairness, and justice… I have no apologies because I don’t believe in injustice.” His stance reflected the deep divisions that have plagued the PDP since its controversial presidential primary in 2022.
The convention’s attendance patterns further highlighted the party’s fractures. While Governors Bala Muhammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) attended, Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Sim Fubara (Rivers), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) were notably absent.
Strategic Reset or Deepening Division?
Analysts see the convention as representing two competing visions for the PDP’s future. The election of Turaki, a northern lawyer with ministerial experience, suggests a return to the party’s traditional power structures and a focus on legal and constitutional approaches to rebuilding.
However, the immediate backlash from sitting governors indicates that the party’s internal reconciliation remains a formidable challenge. The simultaneous pursuit of unity through Turaki’s inclusive rhetoric and division through mass expulsions creates a complex political landscape for the new chairman to navigate.
As Turaki promised to soon release the party’s “guiding principles and hit the ground running,” the question remains whether this convention represents the beginning of the PDP’s resurgence or merely another chapter in its ongoing internal struggles.
This report is based on original coverage from Channels Television.