The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), says the party is open to forming a broad opposition coalition as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview monitored by DAILY GAZETTE after securing over 1,516 delegate votes at the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, Turaki said the party would adopt any strategy capable of strengthening democracy and addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
He dismissed fears that the country could drift into a one-party system but warned that democracy “is under threat.”
According to him, the PDP will work with political parties under IPAC, civil society groups, the international community, and the media “to ensure democracy is safeguarded.”
When asked whether the PDP would consider joining forces with other opposition parties to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, Turaki said:
“We will be open to all options, provided they strengthen democracy and are acceptable to Nigerians. What we want is to rescue Nigerians from the present situation. Whatever option becomes suitable at the right time will be considered.”
Reacting to Turaki’s remarks, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, said his party would only collaborate with the PDP if it agrees that “it will not be business as usual.”
Abdullahi stressed that the ADC is not solely interested in winning power but in “resetting politics in Nigeria.”
“We’ll work with any political party willing to subscribe to the philosophy of the ADC. If cooperation is just to win power, we are not interested. But if the aim is to serve the people and change the old ways, then we are open to it,” he said.
He added that opposition parties must unite to “defeat and remove” the current government, which he accused of undermining the country’s progress.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dismissed any concern over potential coalitions.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told DAILY GAZETTE that Nigerians cannot return to what he labelled “years of PDP misrule.”
“We are not worried by whatever shenanigans they are planning. Nigerians know what they suffered under the PDP. No responsible voter will take us back to that era,” he said.
He added that the APC “wishes them good luck,” but insisted the electorate will reject the PDP again in 2027.
Turaki’s emergence followed a contentious build-up marked by conflicting court orders.
While two Federal High Court rulings in Abuja attempted to stop the convention, a High Court in Ibadan permitted it to proceed.
Backed by five of the PDP’s seven governors, the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee relied on the Ibadan ruling, saying it aligned with a prior Supreme Court judgment that bars judiciary interference in internal party matters.
Senator Lado Danmarke, the only other cleared aspirant, withdrew shortly before voting but still secured 275 votes.
Former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido had earlier obtained a court order halting the convention, alleging he was denied the opportunity to buy nomination forms.
Seventeen positions were filled unopposed, while the offices of youth leader and deputy national legal adviser were stepped down.
Delegates from 32 states attended.
The new NWC will be inaugurated on December 9, after the expiration of the Damagum-led tenure.
The PDP had earlier zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and, by tradition, zoned the national chairmanship to the North.
Turaki later emerged the consensus choice of governors from the northern region.
A major flashpoint of the convention was the expulsion of several high-profile members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Adeyemi Ajibade, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austine Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, George Turner and Chief Dan Orbih.
Governors; Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang later distanced themselves from the expulsions.
Senator Anyanwu rejected his expulsion, insisting he remains the party’s national secretary until December 8.
He argued the Ibadan gathering was not a legitimate convention:
“My absence means nothing happened. I was supposed to read the annual report. What happened was simply Governor Makinde commissioning a motor park with some party leaders.”
He said stakeholders would soon meet to determine whether a fresh convention or caretaker committee is needed.
Also reacting, expelled National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih dismissed the convention as a “social gathering.”
“Those behind these expulsions are political undertakers. They have no respect for the party constitution or the law,” he said.
Orbih insisted Damagum had “removed himself” from PDP leadership by endorsing the exercise.
