CONVENTION: Lamido, Turaki, Makarfi Lead Race For PDP Chairmanship.

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As preparations heighten for the national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, Northern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party have reached a decision to allocate the national chairmanship slot to the North-West. The move, they said, is intended to consolidate unity within the party before the critical event.

Information obtained from PDP leaders involved in the transition process revealed that, during a meeting of Northern stakeholders held in Abuja last weekend, it was agreed that the North-West should produce the next national chairman. The three Northern zones are expected within the week to finalise consensus candidates for all major positions.

According to sources, the North-West is considering three key contenders — former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ex-Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi. Among them, Turaki is said to be enjoying a wider base of early support.

A senior party figure familiar with the process stated that Turaki stands a strong chance of becoming the next PDP national chairman, having reportedly won the confidence of leading figures in the party, including some governors.

He remarked, “The noise and tension in the party ahead of the convention are expected because it’s a democratic setting where members’ interests naturally differ. With an elective convention coming up in November in Ibadan, such disagreements are not unusual.

“However, despite these tensions, the party is making progress. Stakeholders are meeting, and discussions are ongoing about zoning and sharing of positions.

“Over the weekend, northern leaders, including governors, former governors, serving senators, and former principal officers of the National Assembly met in Abuja to deliberate on the region’s position, particularly concerning the office of the national chairman, which is the most senior position in the party.

It was agreed that the position of national chairman should be micro-zoned to the North-West.

“Consequently, the zone is expected to produce the next national chairman of the party. As of now, the major contenders include the former Minister of Special Duties, who enjoys the support of several governors and majority of members from the North-West and beyond, Turaki is likely going to be the next PDP National Chairman. Also, the former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; and former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, are also in the race.

“The final decision will be made after the various zones conclude their consultations. The North-West, North-East, North-Central, and South-West are all expected to meet and produce consensus candidates for their respective positions. Before the week ends, the list of consensus candidates, including that of the national chairman, is expected to be ready. Don’t forget that the committee is still selling forms. If things go as expected in Turaki’s favour, he will resign from his current position as Co-Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee to pick the form.”

At present, the North occupies a number of influential National Working Committee offices, including the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Legal Adviser, National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader, and National Treasurer, as well as the National Vice Chairmen representing the North-East, North-West, and North-Central zones.

Even though the convention is confirmed for Ibadan, some discontent remains, particularly among allies of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is reportedly displeased with the performance of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.

Wike’s supporters are said to be angered by ongoing internal disputes within the South-South, clashes over control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States, as well as controversies about micro-zoning arrangements before the convention.

These tensions have now spilled into a legal battle. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Nnanna, together with the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of violating the party’s constitution and internal electoral rules.

The matter, presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was adjourned to October 16 after a dispute arose regarding who was authorised to represent the PDP in court.

Both the Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN) claimed to be the party’s legitimate counsel. The judge therefore directed them to present proof of authorisation before the next hearing on October 20.

A letter dated October 16 and endorsed by 14 members of the National Working Committee confirmed the decision to remove Ajibade and appoint Chief Uche (SAN) as his replacement. Ajibade, however, maintained that only a national convention had the authority to remove him from office.

In a fresh twist, the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 31 for judgment on a suit seeking to stop the Ibadan convention for allegedly breaching the PDP Constitution.

Justice Omotosho fixed the date after listening to arguments for and against the application filed by three dissatisfied party members.

The plaintiffs — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — asked the court to halt the convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, where new national officers are expected to be elected.

They alleged that the planned convention violated provisions of the party’s constitution.

The defendants in the case are the Independent National Electoral Commission, the PDP, its National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

During proceedings, Justice Omotosho reiterated his earlier order for all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention and warned that any action taken contrary to the order could be invalidated.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to treat the matter as a constitutional issue rather than an internal party affair, stressing that it was meant to ensure compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP Constitution.

Daudu argued that under the Nigerian Constitution, INEC must monitor the congresses of political parties before such exercises can be recognised as valid.

He contended that no legitimate congresses were held in 14 states before the PDP’s NWC and NEC issued the notice for the convention.

However, the party’s acting chairman, Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), requested that the court decline jurisdiction, stating that issues concerning conventions and congresses were internal matters.

This position was backed by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), who represented the PDP’s NWC and NEC, insisting that the court lacked authority to interfere in the party’s internal processes.

In a related matter, PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Department of State Services, denying that he signed the 29 August letter notifying INEC of the convention and calling for a probe into the alleged forgery.

Despite the party dismissing Anyanwu’s claims and agreeing to a DSS investigation, the controversy has deepened uncertainty around the convention. Concerns are rising that internal wrangling, forgery claims, and court battles could disrupt the PDP’s transition process.

Discussing the consensus arrangement for the next national chairman, a PDP stalwart from the North-West clarified that the arrangement does not bar anyone from contesting, stating that any dissatisfied member may still vie for any office.

“The PDP constitution allows for both consensus and open contest, giving stakeholders room to agree while respecting the rights of others to contest,” he explained.

Another Northern leader, confirming the discussions, said, “During our recent meeting, the majority agreed that the position of national chairman should be zoned to the North-West.

“Other positions were also micro-zoned in a kind of swap arrangement; some offices initially allocated to the North-West were moved to other geopolitical zones. The leaders of the three northern zones – North-West, North-East, and North-Central – will now convene separate meetings within their zones this week to decide on consensus candidates for the various positions.

“As of now, the former Minister of Special Duties (Turakin) is in the race and may emerge chairman as he enjoys majority support, while some party leaders are also supporting Lamido for the position of national chairman. Also in the race from the North-West is former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi.

“When the North-West leaders meet later this week, they are expected to agree on a consensus candidate. However, that will not prevent others from contesting as anyone who disagrees with the consensus is free to participate. That is the beauty of democracy. So, that is the stage we are at now.”

Confirming the micro-zoning structure, former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Umar Tsauri said positions earlier zoned to the North-West had been reallocated to the North-East, while those previously belonging to the North-Central were moved to the North-West.

In an interview, Tsauri explained, “Yes, the majority agreed that the national chairman should go to the North-West, but a few people have reservations and say they have a minority stance. But the majority agreed with that. In fact, as far as the Northern Caucus is concerned, the position has been micro-zoned to the North-West.

“The North-Central wanted to have the national chairman, but the majority supported the North-West because the contest was between North-Central and North-West. What the party leaders for the North did was: all the positions currently occupied by people from the North-West go to the North-East, and those from the North-East go to the North-Central; the positions of the North-Central have been zoned to the North-West. It is now the prerogative of the zones to do what we call consensus.”

When asked about the possible candidates, he said the zonal leaders would announce them soon.

He added, “You’ll have to wait until the time comes. It’s not for you to know now because this is an internal matter. We don’t bring it out until we finish, likely before Monday, you will be able to know.

“Even without asking me, you’ll know those who are interested or the person they’ll zero in on. Each zone will look at who is going to take which position and report when the Chairman of the Convention Committee calls us. Definitely, whatever is going to be done will be done within the week.

“All those positions zoned to North-Central, North-West, and North-East will be brought to the same Northern Caucus. Then, we’ll announce the consensus candidate who are going to contest.

“But if someone feels uncomfortable with the arrangement, he’s free to contest. Zoning is only meant to avoid unnecessary conflicts. That’s our interest, that’s why we are micro-zoning.”

In response to the situation, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed any claims of a crisis, asserting that the November convention would mark the renewal of the party’s strength.

He said, “There are no issues in our party. Everything happening shows that the party is a democratic one, and it allows people to contest their opinions, express their views, and abide by their interests. And that’s what is important.

“What is important to us is that the convention will hold on November 15 and 16 as scheduled in Ibadan, and we are going to elect a new set of leaders. This convention will pick new leaders that will position the party, and Nigerians are interested in what is going on.

“They are interested in the affairs of the party. They are interested in what the party leadership is doing. They are interested in the convention because they are tired of the clueless All Progressives Congress administration, and they are looking up to the PDP to return and change things for good.

“So, the convention will produce new leadership that will bring in competent leaders who will run on the party’s ticket in the 2027 general elections.”