The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again grappling with internal strife following the rejection of Tanimu Turaki’s endorsement as National Chairman by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
The development which is coming a few weeks to its national convention, has reignited factional tensions within the opposition party, threatening to derail preparations for the event.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, had been presented as the North’s consensus candidate — a move Lamido’s camp has dismissed as “premature and imposed.”
Amid the dispute, the PDP on Monday abruptly suspended the screening of aspirants for the 2025 Elective National Convention, earlier slated for Tuesday, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The decision has fueled speculation of deeper internal disagreements over zoning, leadership, and control of the party’s national executive.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the party said: “The National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has put on hold the screening of aspirants for the 2025 Elective National Convention, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be announced soon.”
Fintiri expressed regret over the postponement and appealed for calm among aspirants and party faithful, assuring that the issues prompting the delay were being addressed.
Sources within the PDP hinted that Lamido’s objection to Turaki’s candidacy had reopened divisions among northern stakeholders, particularly in the North-West, where leaders are split over the chairmanship zoning arrangement.
