By Sarah Sam Adda & Onilede Titi Faith
Newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, has promised to restore internal democracy, end impunity, and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Turaki made the pledge on Saturday in Ibadan while delivering his acceptance speech after securing 1,516 votes at the PDP National Convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium. Former Anambra Central Senator, Ben Obi, who announced the results, disclosed that Senator Yakubu Danmarke came second with 275 votes, while former Oyo State Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja was elected National Secretary.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, said the new leadership would immediately begin implementing its operational blueprint, stressing that the PDP must return to the people.
“The era of impunity is over,” he assured delegates.
He acknowledged the weight of responsibility placed on him, noting that the party was at a crossroads, but expressed confidence that the new executive was prepared to “hit the ground running from day one.”
He added that the leadership’s guiding principles would soon be unveiled.
Turaki’s emergence was widely anticipated after key North-West PDP stakeholders endorsed him in October as their consensus candidate, following the party’s decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North.
A total of 3,131 delegates participated in the convention, with 2,745 accredited.
Several prominent party figures attended, including Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).
Other key officials elected include Solarin Sunday Adekunle, who became Deputy National Organising Secretary with 633 votes, while 17 positions were uncontested.
The offices of National Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser were stepped down.
Despite running unopposed after Lado Danmarke withdrew from the race, Turaki still amassed overwhelming delegate support, reinforcing his acceptability across party lines.
In his closing remarks, Turaki reaffirmed the PDP’s identity as “the party of the Nigerian people,” promising not to take the mandate for granted as the party embarks on what he described as a new era of unity, discipline, and renewal.
