PDP’s New National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, Vows to Restore Power to Nigerians

The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, SAN, has vowed to reposition the party and return political power to ordinary Nigerians.

Turaki made the pledge in his acceptance speech after he and other newly elected officers were sworn in at the PDP Elective National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Sunday, November 16. He assured party members and Nigerians that the era of impunity and disregard for the people’s will was over.

According to him, the new leadership is committed to listening to members and aligning with their aspirations. “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” he declared. “If baboon wants to chop, baboon must sit down to work.” Turaki also emphasized the PDP’s consistency in maintaining its original name, motto, and logo, describing the party as a strong and recognizable national brand.

Reiterating the importance of fairness and transparency, he said, “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.” While acknowledging that the party faces serious challenges, Turaki assured that the new executive team is fully prepared to confront them.

He added that in the coming days, the party would unveil the guiding principles and operational plans of the new leadership. He also promised speedy and amicable efforts to address the concerns of aggrieved members.

Turaki used the occasion to appeal to the judiciary to uphold established legal precedents and avoid actions that could be interpreted as undermining the country’s democratic process.

Speaking after the inauguration, the new National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, reinforced Turaki’s message, describing the new era in the PDP as one focused on reconciliation, rebuilding, and restoring the party’s founding values—strength, fairness, consensus, and justice.

He stressed the importance of a strong opposition for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, warning that weak opposition leads to governments that only mimic democracy without strengthening it. “Beyond what is good for the PDP, we are looking at what is good for Nigeria,” he said.

Responding to questions about the expulsion of former governors and party chieftains such as Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose, Ememobong noted that the decisions were taken by the convention based on established records of actions considered harmful to the party.

He added that the growing distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process has resulted in excessive reliance on the judiciary to decide electoral outcomes—an indication that many citizens have lost confidence in the system.

At the convention, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN emerged as National Chairman of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC). Other newly elected officials include Alhaji Hamza Koshe as Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Daniel Ambrose Woyengikuro as Deputy National Chairman (South), and Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladeko as National Secretary.

Others elected into key NWC positions were:

Ihediwa Richard Nnabugwu, Deputy National Secretary

Isa Abubakar, National Treasurer

Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, National Financial Secretary

Hon. Theophilus Daka Snan, National Organising Secretary

Aribisala Adewale Idowu, National Auditor

Baratu Shafi, National Legal Adviser

Ogbu Anthonia Chenyenwa, National Women Leader

Umar Dan Aji, National Youth Leader

Deputy positions were also filled across the board, completing the new leadership structure expected to drive the PDP’s next phase of internal reforms and national political engagement.