Amid rising tension ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention slated for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, Northern leaders of the party have resolved to zone the position of national chairman to the North-West, in what insiders describe as a strategic move to restore unity and stability within the party.
Reliable sources confirmed to The PUNCH that during a Northern stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja last weekend, the region’s caucus unanimously agreed to allow the North-West produce the next national chairman, while all three northern zones will finalize consensus candidates for other key positions this week.
Those being considered for the chairmanship include former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi. Party sources said Turaki currently enjoys early majority support from key stakeholders, including sitting governors and senior party figures.
A top-ranking party official familiar with the ongoing discussions told The PUNCH that Turaki’s emergence as frontrunner was the result of wide consultations aimed at balancing regional interests and calming internal rifts ahead of the convention.
“The tension is natural in a democratic process,” the source said. “Members have different interests, but consultations are ongoing. The northern leaders met over the weekend — governors, ex-governors, and lawmakers — and agreed that the national chairmanship should go to the North-West. At this stage, Turaki appears to have the majority backing.”
According to him, the North-West, North-East, and North-Central zones are expected to hold separate meetings this week to finalize their consensus lists. “Before the week ends, we expect to have the complete list of consensus candidates, including that of the national chairman,” he added.
The North currently occupies several key National Working Committee positions, including the national chairman, deputy national chairman (North), national legal adviser, and youth leader, among others.
However, despite progress in the zoning arrangement, dissatisfaction persists among loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who remain displeased with the leadership of acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
The party has also been hit by a fresh wave of legal disputes. A case filed by three aggrieved members — Imo PDP chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP chairman Amah Nnanna, and South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah George — is challenging the legality of the planned convention, alleging breaches of the PDP constitution.
Presiding over the suit, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned the matter to October 16 and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, warning that any violation of the directive could nullify proceedings. The court later fixed October 31 for judgment on the request to halt the convention.
In a related development, PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has petitioned security agencies, denying involvement in a letter purportedly sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission notifying it of the convention, describing the document as forged.
Despite these controversies, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed talk of a crisis, insisting that the internal debates only demonstrate the PDP’s democratic character.
“There are no issues in our party,” Ologunagba said. “What is happening is democracy in action — people expressing their opinions and interests. The convention will hold as scheduled, and new leaders will emerge to reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. Nigerians are watching and eager for a change from the current APC-led administration.”
Political observers believe that zoning the chairmanship to the North-West — and the likely emergence of Tanimu Turaki — may help the party rally its Northern base and rebuild national cohesion ahead of its leadership transition in November.
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