By Abiola Olawale
The race for the next PDP National Chairman has officially become a high-stakes affair, with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; former Minister of Special Duties and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tanimu Turaki; and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi emerging as the leading figures vying to steer the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As the party moves closer to its crucial elective National Convention, The New Diplomat’s checks revealed that the chairmanship contest is proving to be a tight and critical battle for the soul of the PDP.
This is as the eventual winner will inherit the task of reunifying a fractured party and strategically positioning it for the next general elections.
An insider source who spoke with The New Diplomat revealed that Lamido, Makarfi, and Turaki are in the race because of their political clout and experience.
The source said: “Lamido, a former two-term Governor of Jigawa State is widely respected as a staunch party loyalist and founding member of the PDP. Those who support him emphasize his long-standing commitment to the party’s foundational ideals. Some believe that Lamido is a stabilising force needed to resolve internal conflicts and restore the party’s national stature.”
“For Makarfi, a former two-term Governor of Kaduna State and one-time PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, his track record is the reason he is in the race to become PDP’s chairman. Some of his supporters point to his consensus-building skills as essential for uniting the various factions within the PDP.
“Lastly, Turaki is also a strong name that has emerged among the leadership of the PDP. Some believe that Turaki’s network and strategic political history within the North position him as a formidable contender capable of mobilizing significant delegate support.”
Also confirming the development, a former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Umar Tsauri, who spoke with the press explained that the positions initially zoned to the North-West had been further micro-zoned to the North-East, while those for the North-Central have been allocated to the North-West.
Tsauri stated: “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.
“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. It is now the prerogative of the zones to do what we call consensus.”
When asked about the candidates, the former PDP national secretary explained that the zonal leaders would make an announcement soon.
He added: “You’ll have to wait until the time comes. It’s not for you to know now because this is an internal matter. We don’t bring it out until we finish, likely before Monday, you will be able to know.
“Even without asking me, you’ll know those who are interested or the person they’ll zero in on. 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.”
Meanwhile, The New Diplomat also gathered that the chairmanship contest has been heating up due to the implications for the party’s future.
The PDP national convention is now viewed as a pivotal moment for deciding whether the party can overcome recent electoral losses and internal skirmishes.
Another insider source who spoke with The New Diplomat disclosed that members of the party have already drawn focus areas for the next Chairman.
The source said: “The key focus areas for the new PDP Chairman will include:
“Party Unity: Mending fences between powerful figures and restoring internal cohesion.
“Strategic Direction: Defining a clear, unified opposition strategy leading up to the 2027 elections.
“Mobilisation: Re-energising the party’s base and consolidating support across the six geopolitical zones.”
However, the conduct of the National Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, Oyo State is being threatened by a lawsuit.
Although the party has resolved to hold the event in Ibadan, dissatisfaction persists particularly among supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who remains displeased with the leadership of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
Wike’s loyalists are said to be at loggerheads with the party over leadership disputes in the South-South, battles over control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and other states, as well as disagreements surrounding the micro-zoning of elective offices ahead of the convention.
These internal crises have now escalated into a legal confrontation. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, the plaintiffs — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — are praying to the court to stop the convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
The plaintiffs alleged that the planned convention breached the PDP Constitution.
The nine defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission; the PDP; the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; the National Working Committee; the National Executive Committee; Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
The case is presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The New Diplomat had also reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed October 31 for judgment of the suit seeking to halt the Ibadan convention over alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
Justice Omotosho set the date after hearing arguments for and against the suit filed by three aggrieved party members.
