Former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has been elected the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also elected was Alhaji Taofeek Arakpaja, former Deputy National Chairman (South), as the new National Secretary.
Turaki emerged victorious at the party’s national convention held on Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delegates from 17 states participated in the voting process to elect new national officers, in an electoral process chaired by Chief Ben Ndii Obi.
Announcing the results, Senator Ben Obi, a former federal lawmaker, said Turaki secured 1,516 votes, defeating Sen. Yakubu Danmarke, who polled 275 votes.
A total of 1,834 votes were cast, with 43 declared invalid.
Obi also disclosed that Solarin Adekunle was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary.
According to him, two national positions were contested, with 3,131 delegates present at the convention and 2,745 accredited to vote.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki praised members for the confidence reposed in him and vowed to lead the PDP with transparency and accountability.
He highlighted the party’s resilience over the years, noting that the PDP remains the only major political party in Nigeria that has retained its original name since inception.
“This is the party of the Nigerian people. Make no mistake about it—we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity,” he said.
Turaki promised to reunite the party, reveal new guiding principles soon, and begin immediate reforms.
He urged former members who left during the crisis to return, stressing that the PDP must be repositioned to “save Nigerian democracy and rescue the country from the precipice.”
A native of Kebbi State, the 54-year-old senior lawyer holds a Law degree from the University of Jos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in Lagos.
He previously served as Minister of Special Duties under President Goodluck Jonathan and contested the Kebbi State governorship in 2011.
Delegates at the convention voted according to their state blocs to elect new national executives.
Governors in attendance included Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), alongside acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Other prominent figures present were Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ibrahim Dankwambo, PDP BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and other party leaders.
The convention proceeded despite ongoing litigation challenging its legality, reflecting the deepening leadership crisis that has divided the PDP in recent months.
