Newly elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Kabiru Turaki has vowed to end impunity within the party and restore internal discipline as the opposition seeks to rebuild ahead of future elections.
Turaki emerged victorious on Saturday at the PDP national convention held at Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan, where he secured 1,516 votes to become the party’s new national chairman. He succeeds a leadership era marked by internal wrangling, defections and power blocs that weakened the party’s cohesion.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki said he fully understands the weight of responsibility placed on the new National Working Committee (NWC), stressing that the mandate handed to them must be taken “directly to the Nigerian people.”
“The cross you have given us means that you watch us also take it to the Nigerian people, and that we shall do,” he said.
He added that the new leadership will unveil its guiding principles and operational framework in the coming days, noting that the PDP is at a “critical crossroads” but is prepared for the difficult work ahead.
“We are not under any illusion that the task placed on us is a simple one,” Turaki said. “Very soon, we shall be rolling out what our guiding principles will be and the modus operandi for achieving them. When we do that, we shall be hitting the ground running from day one.”
Turaki also highlighted the party’s endurance since 1999, noting that the PDP remains Nigeria’s only major political party that has retained its original name and identity.
“This has been possible because this is the party of the Nigerian people,” he said. “Make no mistake about it; we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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