The Kebbi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the reported adoption of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the northern consensus candidate for the party’s national chairmanship position.
The state chapter made its position known after an emergency meeting held on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi, where members unanimously distanced themselves from the decision of northern PDP governors to endorse Turaki.
In a communiqué read by the State Publicity Secretary, Sani Dododo, the chapter aligned with the stance of PDP stakeholders in the North-West, insisting that the decision was taken without the input or consent of Kebbi PDP.
“Kabiru Tanimu has never consulted the Kebbi State chapter of the party about his intention to contest. He has not been involved in any of the party’s activities in the state,” Dododo said.
“At no time — not a day, not a minute, not even a second — did Kabiru Tanimu visit Kebbi to seek support or consult any stakeholder or elder of the party,” he added.
‘Right to Nominate Must Be Respected’
The Kebbi PDP further emphasized that every state in the North-West zone should retain the right to deliberate and nominate a candidate of its choice in line with the PDP’s zoning formula.
“The Kebbi State chapter, therefore, totally rejects the decision to adopt the former Minister of Special Duties as the party’s consensus candidate,” Dododo stated.
The rejection comes after northern PDP stakeholders reportedly endorsed Turaki as the consensus choice for the chairmanship seat ahead of the party’s national elective convention, scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Background to the Dispute
The endorsement of Turaki followed a closed-door meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, attended by key PDP figures including the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Zamfara, and Plateau States; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; Senator Abba Moro; and the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Adamawa State Governor Umar Fintiri, who briefed journalists after the meeting, clarified that the consensus arrangement does not prevent other aspirants from contesting at the convention.
The PDP will elect new members of its National Working Committee (NWC) at the Ibadan convention, setting the stage for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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