The rejection was announced by PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday night, October 23, 2025, representing the zone’s stakeholders.

Bature described Turaki’s adoption, announced by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee, on behalf of PDP governors and northern leaders, as unilateral and not reflective of the North West’s collective decision. 

He clarified that no zonal meeting was held to endorse Turaki, and the region would soon announce its preferred candidate.

“The North West has not met to agree on Turaki’s candidacy,” Bature stated. “We are the strongest zone in the PDP, and the lack of consultation has caused resentment. 

We disagree with the governors’ position and will nominate our own candidate.” He emphasized that the chairmanship, zoned to the North West following the PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting on August 25, 2025, which allocated the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, should involve proper consultation with the zone’s stakeholders.

Bature criticized the process, noting that a scheduled zonal meeting was postponed, yet a candidate was announced without input from North West leaders. 

“Consensus requires consultation, which didn’t happen. If it’s an open contest, why adopt one person without allowing others to compete?” he questioned. 

He highlighted the presence of other contenders, including former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi and ex-Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

The Thursday meeting, attended by prominent figures such as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, PDP Board of Trustees Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, former Minister Jerry Gana, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri, Mustapha (son of Sule Lamido), and Kaduna’s 2023 PDP governorship candidate Isah Ashiru Kudan, underscored the zone’s resolve to assert its autonomy in selecting a candidate.

Bature reiterated that the North West’s exclusion from the decision-making process was unfair, particularly as the chairmanship was zoned to the region by other zones. 

“We are stakeholders, party chairmen, National Assembly members, yet none of us was consulted,” he said, signaling the zone’s intent to challenge the imposed candidacy and push for a transparent selection process.