Garba Mohammed
The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has pledged sweeping reforms aimed at restoring internal democracy and ending impunity within the party, marking what he described as a decisive new chapter for the PDP.
Speaking during his acceptance address on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, Turaki said he was fully aware of the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to him but remained confident in the party’s resilience and organisational capacity.
“The cross you have given us means that you expect us to take it back to the Nigerian people—and that we shall do,” he said. “We are not under any illusion that the task ahead is simple. Our party is at a crossroads, but we are up to the task; we are up to the challenge.”
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, disclosed that the new National Working Committee will soon unveil a comprehensive operational blueprint that will guide its activities and set the pace for the administration.
“Very soon, we shall be rolling out our guiding principles and the modus operandi for achieving them. Once that is done, we will hit the ground running from day one,” he said.
He stressed that the mandate handed to him by party delegates would not be taken for granted, insisting that the PDP remains anchored on the will and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
“Today, the only political party that has retained its original name is the Peoples Democratic Party. This is because it 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.”
Turaki emerged victorious at the party’s national convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, where delegates from 17 states gathered to elect a new set of national officers. He polled 1,516 votes to beat Senator Yakubu Danmarke, who garnered 275 votes.
Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja, was elected National Secretary, according to the announcement made by former Senator Ben Obi, who supervised the election.
Turaki’s victory marks the beginning of a new leadership era that many within the PDP hope will restore cohesion, rebuild trust, and position the party as a stronger opposition force ahead of future elections.