PDP National Chairman zoning to North-West fuels internal wrangling as Turaki, Lamido, and Makarfi jostle for party’s top seat ahead of Ibadan convention.
PDP National Chairman zoning to the North-West has stirred a wave of political tension, as key contenders from the region jostle to emerge as the party’s next leader ahead of its national convention in Ibadan this November.
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The decision, reached at a high-level meeting of northern stakeholders in Abuja, was intended to unify the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it prepares for a crucial leadership transition. However, the move has ignited both strategic alliances and fresh disagreements within the party.
A senior party source revealed that three leading figures are currently in the running for the chairmanship position: former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ex-Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi. Of these, Turaki is widely seen as the early frontrunner, reportedly enjoying broad support from governors and other key northern stakeholders.
Despite initial optimism, the zoning announcement has sparked legal, political, and structural unrest within the PDP.
Critics argue that the micro-zoning strategy may disenfranchise certain factions, particularly in the South-South, where loyalists of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike remain vocally opposed to the current national leadership.
Recent court proceedings have further complicated matters. A Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on 31 October on whether the convention, scheduled for 15–16 November, can legally proceed.
The plaintiffs—three senior party figures from Imo, Abia, and the South-South—allege breaches of the party constitution and are seeking to halt the event altogether.
Tensions have also deepened around questions of legal representation, with conflicting claims from two senior lawyers about who is officially authorised to speak for the party. These internal crises, including allegations of forged documents, have cast doubt on whether the convention can be conducted smoothly.
Still, many within the party remain hopeful. The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted the party is moving forward.
“There are no issues in our party. Everything happening shows that the party is democratic. This convention will mark a new beginning,” he said.
The zoning process, though contentious, is seen by some as a necessary mechanism to reduce friction in what is already a highly competitive environment. Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Umar Tsauri confirmed that the majority of the Northern Caucus supports the North-West bid, with positions previously held by the North-Central and North-East being redistributed in a rotational swap.
Consensus talks are still ongoing, and each northern zone is expected to announce its candidates within days. While the PDP Constitution permits open contests, insiders expect a strong push for consensus to avoid a fractious vote.
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Whether the final choice is Turaki, Lamido, or Makarfi, the battle for the PDP national chairman position is already reshaping internal power dynamics.
And as legal battles rage on and political lines harden, the outcome of this contest may well determine the future direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party.
