Turaki says PDP will leverage on state chairmen to regain power

By Tunde Opalana

11 December 2025

Politics

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Tanimu Turaki has applauded the importance of chairmen of the party across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to repositioning the party.

He said PDP will leverage in the competence, versatility and relevance of the chairmen in their respective states to regain power in 2027.

Turaki led the National Working Committee, NWC of the party to meet with the Forum of the State Chairmen on Wednesday in Abuja as part of the series of meetings with party organs and leadership bodies .

In his opening remarks at the meeting held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, he said with the support of the state chairmen whom he described as ‘General Commanding Officers’ the restoration process of the party is assured.

“For me, today is a day of fulfillment. Outside there, some people who claim to be members of our party, but who indeed the whole world knows are not members of our party, they claim that they have what they call a faction.

“So when you look at 29 state chairmen sitting with us, with apologies coming from two, then when you also take into account the fact that there were some certain chapters that were dissolved, and so do not have leadership constituted presently, which we are planning to do in due course, then tell me, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, who is not here.

” If all the state chairmen are here with us, then who is it that is not with us? If all the state chairmen are supporting us, then who, sincerely speaking, can be fighting us? So this is something for the whole world to see.

“These are known faces, these are veterans in their right, and they are here physically, not virtually, and they are here in person, not via representation. So as far as PDP is concerned, I think it speaks for itself.

“People now know where the leadership of PDP is, and people know who the true leaders of the party are, and of course we are the leaders, the genuine bona fide leaders of the people,” he said.

Turaki said the strategic meeting is in fulfilment of the resolution made at the Ibadan national convention to take the party back to the people, knowing fully that what distinguishes PDP from other political parties is that it allow people to own up the process, to own up all processes.

“From the beginning this is our desire, to take the party back to the people, then who are going to be our better partners in achieving this desire other than our state chairmen. In his remarks, the National Organization Secretary described them as Brigade Commanders.

“I want to correct that wrong impression.What we have here is our General Officers Commanding. Under them, we have Brigade Commanders, the local government chairmen. Under them, we have Battalion Commanders, the ward chairmen.

“Under them, we have the platoon commanders, the leaders in the various units of this party. And why not? Because PDP is the only party that has presence in every unit, in every ward, in every local government in this country. And this is verified.

“We believe that the success of our work is contingent upon the amount of understanding and support we get from the Forum of State Chairmen. And that is why, very early in the day, we’ve invited you to discuss with you, not only to discuss the handover note by the immediate past leadership of this party, but to lay before you our program of action and then seek your guidance, seek your views, seek your comments, even your criticisms, because you are the ones that are in the field.

“And so, you stand in a better position to advise us, to guide us on what the expectations of Nigerians are from us. You are in a better position to advise us what the feelings and thinkings of Nigerians, especially members of our party, are.

” But as we begin to roll out what we think is the program to rescue Nigeria, that will take into account the thinking and the expectations of Nigerians, especially the current members of our party, PDP,” he added.

Turaki said the PDP is on a new mission “to reclaim Nigeria from the inept APC leadership. A leadership that, instead of taking Nigeria progressively forward, is taking us retrogressively backward. Today, Nigerians are living witnesses that the achievements, the progress that had been made in the 16 PDP glorious years have either been destroyed, or shattered, or reversed.

“And that is why today, whenever Nigerians speak, they beg, they plead. If you can take us anywhere further, please take us back to where we were in 2015.

“I say to Nigerians out there that have listened to you. We are not taking you back to 2015 when we left. We will take over power by the special grace of God in 2027.

“And thereafter, we will begin the journey to taking Nigeria and Nigerians to the promised land. It’s possible, it’s doable, we’ve done it before, and we’re going to do it again”.

At the end of the meeting a certificate of return was presented to Dr. Oluwole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the party in Ekiti State.

National Organizing Secretary, Theophilus Dakar Shan said the primary process that produced Oluyede was very thorough and credible.

A total of five aspirants bought forms, were screened and one disqualified. Appeal Committee conducted , the primary was conducted with INEC officials in attendance where Oluyede was duly elected.

He said all electoral process were followed which culminated in the presentation of certificate of return to the candidate to fly the flag of PDP in the 2026 Ekiti governorship poll.

Speaking, the BoT chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara commended the new national chairman, Tanimu Turaki as very determined who is ‘biting the bullet’.

Hey pledged the support of the BoT to the party leadership. He urged them not to be distracted but be focused on repositioning the party .

“We will be ready to support you constitutionally,” he said .

Sen. Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo who served as the chairman of the Ekiti Governorship Primary Electoral Committee on November 8, 2025.

He commended the aspirants, their supporters and PDP members for peaceful conduct throughout the process .

Dankwambo assured the party that the primary election was peaceful, credible and so Mr. Oluyede is rife to be presented with the certificate of return.

On behalf of the Senate Caucus, Senator Abdul Ningi thanked the NWC for giving Nigerians the alternative. He said the country now know there is a party which has giving many political leaders today the platform to express their selves politically.

He assured that if the party put it’s act together, Oluyede will win Ekiti.

The National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki said the presentation of INEC forms to be filled by the candidate and his running mate confirmed that the leadership of the Turaki – led NWC is recognized by INEC authenticating the leadership.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Oluyede said receiving the certificate is a mandate, a call to serve and collective will of the party and promise to serve the people of Ekiti State.

Commended the electoral panel, his co- contestants , PDP leader in the South West, Gov. Seyi Makinde for deploying human and material resources to ensure the unity of PDP in the zone and in Ekiti.

He charged Ekiti people to make a good choice in voting rightly a governor that will serve them and not neglect them.

Promised to return the state to the land of prosperity, quality healthcare, youth and women empowerment, quality education and

Appealed to co- aspirant who are in court to sheath their swords and support him to win Ekiti for the PDP.

For those who are challenging his emergence in court, he advised them to withdraw all cases as “Court cases are mere distraction.”

“I will serve with integrity, humility and be a listening governor”, he promised.

Party chieftains at the event include Ibrahim Shekarau, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo and National Secretary, Ambassador Taofeek, Senator Abba Moro, Minority Leader, Hin. Kingsley Chinda, Leader House of Reps, Prof. Jerry Gana, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, House of Reps members led by Hon. Fred Agbedi.