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Lamido, Wike Camps Oppose Endorsement of Turaki as PDP National Chairman
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Northern blocs divided over choice of consensus candidate
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Party leaders hopeful of reconciliation before convention
Fresh tension has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following reports that camps loyal to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are opposing the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the party’s National Chairman.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Northern PDP leaders recently endorsed Turaki during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja attended by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The endorsement, however, has sparked division among party blocs in the North.
A northern party leader who spoke to Punch said the rift arose from Lamido’s ambition to lead the party and Wike’s preference for a North-Central candidate. According to him, some former state chairmen and governorship aspirants are backing Lamido and have rejected the move to present Turaki as a consensus candidate.
He said, “There is growing discontent over the decision by some northern governors and leaders to unveil Turaki as the consensus candidate for National Chairman. Lamido’s supporters are aggrieved by this development.”
Meanwhile, another faction loyal to Wike is reportedly supporting former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, for the position.
A senior PDP leader attributed the ongoing crisis to poor consultation by northern governors, adding that many stakeholders in the North Central and North West felt excluded from the decision. He, however, expressed optimism that the crisis would be resolved before the party’s next convention.
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