By Akin Bamidele
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stakeholders across the country has thrown their weight behind the recent appointment of the former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, as the Chairman of the party.
The appointment has continues to generate reactions among party stakeholders including party leaders and governors, who have voiced out their support for the decision reached during the party’s recent meeting in Abuja.
The decision involves zoning the party’s chairmanship position to the Northwest region and installing Tanimu Turaki as the party leader in that capacity.
This move is seen as a strategic effort to promote fairness, regional balance, and inclusive political participation within the party, reflecting the broader dynamics of Nigerian politics and the party’s commitment to national unity.
Speaking on the development, a PDP chieftain,Chief Sunday Olaifa, who is also a prominent figure in Lagos politics and the party’s Championship hopeful in Lagos state, emphasised the importance of unity within the party in a statement .
He stressed the need for a consensus-driven approach to selecting a leader, who is not only loyal and capable but also highly respected by party members.
Such a leader, he is explained is essential for guiding the party effectively and achieving its strategic goals.
Olaifa further identified Kabiru Turaki as a key figure, who could play a pivotal role in fostering effective leadership, adding that Turaki’s chairmanship could help ensure transparent, inclusive nominations of strong candidates for the upcoming elections, which are vital to strengthening the party’s unity, cohesion, and electoral prospects.
The Lagos party leader also viewed the move by those opposing the consensus built around Turaki as destabilising, urging all to work towards stability and unity within the party.
Reacting to the plans by some individuals in the Northwest who are reportedly preparing to oppose Turaki’s appointment as the party’s Chairman, Mallam Umar Sani, a seasoned politician and former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, alleged that
there is a conspiracy orchestrated by certain influential party members from the North-West, colluding with a Southern politician, with the intent to destabilise and weaken the party’s unity and stability.
This allegation is contained in a statement titled, “The Charade of a Northwest Meeting.”
Sani, in the statement emphasised that the role of the National Chairman of the party transcends regional boundaries and is emblematic of the entire federation, pointing out that the process of selecting PDP Chairman has historically been transparent and inclusive, with prominent figures like Solomon Lar and Adamu Mu’azu rising to leadership through broad consultations and the influence of powerful internal party blocs.
Sani’s remarks serve as a reminder that the party’s leadership should be determined by merit and consensus rather than regional or partisan scheming.
A senior member of the party from Nigeria’s South-South region, who spoke on the condition of anonymity believes that the core issue at hand is not ‘specifically Kabiru Turaki himself, but rather the overall stability and unity of the party.
He expressed scepticism about the sudden appearance of certain obscure individuals claiming to oppose the decisions and discussions that have been openly debated and agreed upon by established party leaders.
He argued that till date,. no substantial or credible evidence has been put forward to challenge Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s integrity or actions, adding that
instead, what they are doing appears to be a series of smear campaigns and false accusations orchestrated by individuals whose true motives for the party remain suspicious and whose loyalty is questionable.
Such tactics, he said threatens to undermine the hard-won unity and progress the party has made, and that it is crucial for the leadership to remain vigilant against these divisive efforts.
As the PDP approaches its upcoming elective convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, the entire nation remains eager to observe whether the party will present a united front or continue to face internal divisions.
This convention is seen as a critical juncture that could either reinforce the party’s cohesion and readiness to challenge the political landscape or expose lingering rifts that could undermine its electoral ambitions.
The outcome of this gathering will undoubtedly have significant implications for the party’s future unity and political strategies.
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