The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded its national convention in Ibadan, electing new leaders for its national working committee (NWC).
The event was held over the weekend at Adamasingba Stadium in the Oyo state capital.
A total of 20 officials were chosen to serve in various leadership positions across the party.
Around 3,000 delegates were accredited to vote in the elections for the 20 posts.
One candidate for the national chairmanship withdrew as the voting began on Saturday.
Earlier in August, the party’s national executive committee (NEC) zoned the presidential ticket to the southern region.
In keeping with party tradition, the chairmanship position was designated for a northerner.
In October, stakeholders from the north-west rallied behind Kabiru Turaki, former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, as their agreed candidate.
Prior attempts by the Nyesom Wike-led faction to stop the convention in court were unsuccessful after a high court in Oyo cleared the way for the event.
Despite these internal disputes, Turaki emerged as the party’s national chairman.
He was the only contender for the top position and received 1,516 votes from delegates.
His election followed the withdrawal of Lado Danmarke, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Katsina state.
Although he pulled out, Danmarke still garnered 275 votes.
Solarin Sunday Adekunle was elected deputy national organising secretary with 633 votes.
The party described all elected officials as “consensus candidates.”
The new national chairman is Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Hamza Akuyan Koshe and Daniel Ambrose Woye were elected deputy national chairmen for the north and south, respectively.
Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo took the position of national secretary, while Ihediwa Richard Nnabugwu was named deputy national secretary.
Isaa Abubakar assumed the role of national treasurer and Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel became national financial secretary.
Theophilus Daka Shan was elected national organising secretary, and Ini Ememobong Essien was chosen national publicity secretary.
Aribisala Adewale Idowu became national auditor, and Badaru Shafi’l was appointed national legal adviser.
Ogbu Anthonia Chinenyenwa was elected national women’s leader, while Umar Dan Aji took up the post of national youth leader.
Solarin Sunday Adekunle assumed deputy national organising secretary, Farida Umar Hamid became deputy national publicity secretary, and Aigbokhaevbo Harrison Omagbon took deputy national treasurer.
Hamsatu Adamu, Tina Puna Musa, Usamatu Maharazu, and Elee-Njaka Chikere were also elected to deputy leadership roles.
During the convention, the faction led by immediate past chairman Umar Damagum expelled Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, and Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti.
Other members removed from the party included Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.
Several governors attended the event, including Bala Mohammed, Ahmadu Fintiri, Dauda Lawal, Caleb Mutfwang, and Seyi Makinde.
Other notable attendees were Ladi Adebutu, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Shekarau, Adolphus Wabara, Bode George, and Kabiru Turaki.
Ademola Adeleke and Agbu Kefas were absent from the proceedings.
Mutfwang and Fintiri , however, maintained distance from the expulsion of the FCT minister.
Following the convention, the PDP also dissolved its structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki said he understood the magnitude of the responsibilities placed on the new NWC.
Turaki further stated that the party would soon announce its guiding principles and operational framework for the new executive.
The convention concluded with the party reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and strengthened leadership across its structures.
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