TENSIONS have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman ahead of the party’s National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The selection, which was announced after a meeting of northern stakeholders chaired by governors and prominent party leaders, has been rejected by political camps loyal to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The development has reopened old factional fault lines within the party and triggered fresh debates over internal power-sharing and zonal balancing.
Following the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on August 25 in Abuja, the party resolved to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while the office of National Chairman was reserved for the North.
Subsequently, northern leaders further micro-zoned the chairmanship slot to the North-West, producing three frontrunners: Ahmed Makarfi (former Kaduna Governor), Sule Lamido (former Jigawa Governor) and Tanimu Turaki (former Minister).
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja attended by PDP governors and top party leaders including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and others, Turaki was announced by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the consensus candidate.
However, Fintiri emphasized that the arrangement was not binding, stating that any aspirant dissatisfied with the consensus deal was free to contest at the convention.
Despite the endorsement, key power blocs within the party quickly voiced opposition.
A senior PDP stakeholder who attended the meeting told reporters that: “Lamido’s supporters are angry. They believe the process was engineered to favour Turaki without broad consultation.”
He added that Wike’s faction is backing former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, arguing that the chairmanship should shift to the North-Central, not the North-West.
The source stated: “What we are seeing is a deep divide. The Lamido bloc wants Sule Lamido. The Wike group wants someone from the North Central. They reject Turaki outright.”
Another senior leader said the rift was caused by lack of wider consultation, especially among northern party elders and ex-governors.
“Some stakeholders felt disrespected. The governors acted fast, but inclusion was lacking. That is why there is agitation. But we believe the party will eventually harmonize and go into the convention united.”
Meanwhile, the position of National Secretary, which was micro-zoned to the South-West, appears settled.
A South-West PDP stakeholders’ meeting convened virtually by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde endorsed Taofeek Arapaja, the current Deputy National Chairman (South), as the consensus candidate.
The decision reportedly passed without dispute.
Reacting to reports of division, Governor Dauda Lawal maintained that consultations are ongoing to carry all interests along.
“Consensus is not compulsion. It is an attempt at unity. Everyone will be accommodated,” he said.
With the PDP preparing for what many describe as a defining convention ahead of the 2027 elections, party insiders say negotiations will intensify in the coming weeks.