Northern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party have agreed to zone the party’s national chairmanship to the North-West, with three prominent politicians emerging as leading contenders for the position ahead of the November convention in Ibadan.
The decision, reached during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja last weekend, narrows the race to former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki, and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi.
Party sources disclosed that Turaki currently enjoys majority support amongst key stakeholders, including several of the party’s remaining governors.
A senior party official familiar with the deliberations told The PUNCH that the three northern zones—North-West, North-East, and North-Central—would meet this week to finalise consensus candidates for all key positions.
“The noise and tension in the party ahead of the convention are expected because it’s a democratic setting where members’ interests naturally differ. With an elective convention coming up in November in Ibadan, such disagreements are not unusual,” the official stated.
“However, despite these tensions, the party is making progress. Stakeholders are meeting, and discussions are ongoing about zoning and sharing of positions.”
The source explained that during the weekend meeting, northern leaders, including governors, former governors, serving senators, and former principal officers of the National Assembly, agreed that the national chairman position should be micro-zoned to the North-West.
“Consequently, the zone is expected to produce the next national chairman of the party. As of now, the major contenders include the former Minister of Special Duties, who enjoys the support of several governors and majority of members from the North-West and beyond. Turaki is likely going to be the next PDP National Chairman,” the official added.
“The final decision will be made after the various zones conclude their consultations. Before the week ends, the list of consensus candidates, including that of the national chairman, is expected to be ready.”
The North currently holds several key National Working Committee positions, including National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Legal Adviser, National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader, and National Treasurer, as well as the National Vice Chairmen representing the three northern zones.
However, the party continues to face internal tensions, particularly amongst supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who remains dissatisfied with the leadership of acting national chairman Umar Damagum.
These internal disputes have escalated into legal battles. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia states, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Nnanna, alongside South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee of breaching the party’s constitution.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed 31st October for judgement in the suit seeking to halt the Ibadan convention over alleged constitutional violations.
Justice James Omotosho set the date after hearing arguments from both sides regarding the suit filed by the three aggrieved party members.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop the convention, scheduled for 15th and 16th November in Ibadan, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho reaffirmed his earlier order directing all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention, warning that he would not hesitate to nullify any action taken in violation of the court’s directive.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu, urged the court not to dismiss the case as a mere internal party matter but to view it as an effort to enforce compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP Constitution.
However, the party’s acting chairman, Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, arguing that issues relating to conventions and congresses were internal party affairs.
A PDP chieftain from the North-West explained that the consensus arrangement does not prevent anyone from contesting, noting that any party member from any zone who is unhappy with the arrangement remains free to run for any position.
“The PDP constitution allows for both consensus and open contest, giving stakeholders room to agree whilst respecting the rights of others to contest,” he added.
Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Umar Tsauri confirmed the micro-zoning arrangement, explaining that positions initially zoned to the North-West had been further micro-zoned to the North-East, whilst those for the North-Central have been allocated to the North-West.
“Yes, the majority agreed that the national chairman should go to the North-West, but a few people have reservations and say they have a minority stance. But the majority agreed with that. In fact, as far as the Northern Caucus is concerned, the position has been micro-zoned to the North-West,” Tsauri stated in an exclusive interview.
“The North-Central wanted to have the national chairman, but the majority supported the North-West because the contest was between North-Central and North-West. What the party leaders for the North did was: all the positions currently occupied by people from the North-West go to the North-East, and those from the North-East go to the North-Central; the positions of the North-Central have been zoned to the North-West.”
Tsauri explained that zonal leaders would announce consensus candidates soon, likely before Monday.
“Each zone will look at who is going to take which position and report when the Chairman of the Convention Committee calls us. Definitely, whatever is going to be done will be done within the week,” he stated.
“But if someone feels uncomfortable with the arrangement, he’s free to contest. Zoning is only meant to avoid unnecessary conflicts. That’s our interest, that’s why we are micro-zoning.”
In a related development, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Department of State Services, denying that he signed the 29th August letter notifying INEC of the planned convention and requesting an investigation into alleged forgery of the letter.
The party’s dismissal of Anyanwu’s claims and endorsement of a probe by the Department of State Services have deepened uncertainty over the convention, raising fears that the internal wrangling, forgery allegations and court disputes could derail preparations for the PDP’s leadership transition.
Reacting to the situation, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed talks of a crisis, stating that the November convention would mark the beginning of a renewed and stronger party.
“There are no issues in our party. Everything happening shows that the party is a democratic one, and it allows people to contest their opinions, express their views, and abide by their interests. And that’s what is important,” Ologunagba stated.
“What is important to us is that the convention will hold on 15th and 16th November as scheduled in Ibadan, and we are going to elect a new set of leaders. This convention will pick new leaders that will position the party, and Nigerians are interested in what is going on.”
