Copyright nigeriancurrent
By Akin Bamidele The recent appointment of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki,(SAN), a former Minister of Special Duties, as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been greeted with reactions across the country. Various stakeholders, including party leaders and governors, have voiced their support for the decision made 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. Chief Sunday Olaifa, a prominent figure in Lagos politics and a hopeful candidate for the position of State Party chairman, emphasised the importance of unity within the party in a statement. He stressed the need for a consensus-driven approach in selecting a leader. According to him, leadership should be bestowed one who is not only loyal and capable but also highly respected by party members. Such a leader, he believes, is essential for guiding the party effectively and achieving its strategic goals. Olaifa further identified Turaki as a key figure who could play a pivotal role in fostering effective leadership. Turaki’s chairmanship, according to Olaifa, 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 views the move by those opposing the consensus built around Turaki as destabilising and urged all to work towards stability and unity within the party. However, Mallam Umar Sani, a former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has alleged that there is a conspiracy orchestrated by certain influential party members from the North-West, working in collusion with a Southern politician, with the intent to destabilise and weaken the party’s unity and stability. In statement titled “The Charade of a Northwest Meeting,” Sani emphasised that the role of the national chairman of the party transcends regional boundaries and is emblematic of the entire federation. He pointed out that the process of selecting PDP chairmen 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. Another member of the party from the South-South, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes that the core issue at hand isn’t specifically Turaki himself, but rather the overall stability and unity of the party. He expressed scepticism about the sudden appearance of certain individuals claiming to oppose the decisions and discussions that have been openly debated and agreed upon by established party leaders. According to him, no substantial or credible evidence has been put forward to challenge Turaki’s integrity or actions. Instead, there have series of smear campaigns and false accusations orchestrated by individuals whose true motives for the party remain suspicious and whose loyalty is questionable. As the People’s Democratic Party (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.
