The northern stakeholders and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have endorsed a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki as consensus candidate for the position of the party’s National Chairman ahead of elective national convention, scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State next month.
The 19 northern stakeholders endorsed Turaki at a meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday night.
According to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was adopted after broad consultations by PDP Northern stakeholders.
Prominent at the meeting were the Governor of Bauchi State who is also Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and outgoing PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
The Party’s National Convention to elect new National Working Committee, NWC members is scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In August, the Party’s National Executive Committee, NEC zoned its presidential ticket to the south and by its tradition, the National Chairman is expected to come from the North.
The Adamawa State Governor however added that the room is opened for other contestants as the party will always democratically elect its leaders.
Former Kaduna Governor and Secretary of PDP Board of Trustees, Ahmed Makarfi and former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana who signed the endorsement of Turaki were frontrunners for the party’s National Chairmanship position.
Asked about the gale of defections rocking the PDP, Fintiri insists that members are united as he expressed optimism for the party’s victory in upcoming elections.
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There have been attempts to stall the PDP convention as the party’s chairman in Imo state, Austine Amah and that of Abia state, Abraham Nnanna had filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja seeking to stop the planned National Convention.
The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of the planned National Convention and seeking an order to restrain the party from proceeding with it.
The Court had fixed October 31 to hear the matter.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
