Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has defended the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lawal said the decision was in line with the party’s constitution, which provides for consensus as a legitimate means of selecting leaders.
Northern PDP stakeholders had, earlier in the week, adopted Turaki at a meeting in Abuja attended by governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Lawal himself, and the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Also present were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-Minister of Information Jerry Gana, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and former Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau.
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However, the endorsement sparked opposition from some North-West PDP stakeholders, who said they were not invited to the meeting where Turaki was chosen.
Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the accreditation sub-committee for the forthcoming national convention, Lawal described the disagreement as part of normal political dynamics.
“No matter what we do, some people will still be aggrieved. It is part of politics,” he said.
“What we are doing is to try to bring everybody together in the interest of this party. It is an ongoing process, and I can assure you that things will be okay. But it is normal to have agitations.”
He stressed that the process of adopting Turaki was legitimate and aligned with the PDP’s guiding principles.
“In the constitution of our party, there is a provision for consensus. So, there is nothing new. It is okay; it is normal. It is part of our constitution in the PDP,” the governor stated.
Lawal expressed optimism that the party would overcome its internal disagreements and emerge stronger ahead of its November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new National Working Committee (NWC) members will be elected.
“You can see: we have gone through a lot in the past, and now, things are getting better day by day. I am very sure and optimistic that we will bounce back. In fact, we are already making a comeback,” he said.
The Zamfara governor also urged members of the various convention subcommittees to work harmoniously for the event’s success.
“To the members of the special duties committee, the trust reposed in you is immense. You are the architects of our convention’s solvency and the guidance of its operational integrity. I have every confidence that you will rise to this challenge with distinction,” Lawal added.
