IBADAN, Nigeria — Dr Kabiru Turaki has taken the helm of the Peoples Democratic Party, pledging to end internal impunity and restore confidence among members after securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s 2025 elective National Convention in Ibadan.
Turaki emerged as the new National Chairman on Saturday, November 15, 2025, after winning 1,516 votes.
His closest contender, Garuba Lado, received 41 votes.
Delegates at the convention described the election as one of the most decisive in recent years for the opposition party, which has been grappling with internal disputes and declining cohesion.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki assured party members and Nigerians that the newly elected leadership would uphold transparency and accountability.
“I want to assure you that the confidence reposed in the executives will not be taken for granted,” he said.
He added that the era of disregard for members’ voices was over.
“There will be no more impunity and suppression of the will of Nigerian people and we shall open our ears wide to listen to you to determine what you want and what you want is what we shall give you,” he said.
Turaki emphasised that fairness, equity and justice would guide the new administration of the PDP, which he described as being at a critical moment.
Internal rifts and high-profile defections have challenged the party’s cohesion in recent years, as it continues to struggle for influence in national politics.
According to Turaki, the party’s new leadership team is prepared to confront these challenges directly.
He said the executives would begin outreach to aggrieved members across the country, including individuals who left the party over unresolved disputes.
He noted that such reconciliation efforts were crucial not only for the party’s stability but also for the broader political landscape.
The PDP, he said, must be strengthened to “save Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.”
