Turaki officially assumes duty as PDP National Chairman

• Says ‘we are prepared to lay down our lives’ for nation’s democracy

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Alhaji Kabiru Taminu Turaki, SAN, who was at the weekend elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the party’s convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has officially resumed control of the party’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

Turaki, alongside key Party officials, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, stormed the premises on Tuesday, successfully ousting the expelled members, led by former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and others, thereby reclaiming the headquarters for the authentic PDP leadership.

The bold reclamation occurred amid heightened tensions following the PDP’s National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Turaki was overwhelmingly elected as Chairman on November 15, 2025.

In a swift enforcement of party resolutions, the convention expelled Anyanwu, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, and several others for grave anti-party activities, including sabotage and attempts to undermine the party’s democratic processes.

Undeterred by the illegal occupation of the secretariat, Turaki’s team arrived with unwavering resolve, forcing entry into the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall despite initial barricades and scuffles.

Eyewitnesses reported a charged atmosphere as supporters of the rival group, including loyalists of the expelled National Vice Chairman, North Central, Mohammed Abdulrahman, clashed with security personnel.

However, the Turaki-led group, invoking their constitutional mandate, prevailed, driving out Anyanwu and his allies in a scene symbolizing the rejection of internal treason.

Answering questions from Journalists earlier, Turaki harped on the need for everything to be done to ensure that democracy survives, adding, “and if it means that we have to make appeal to international community to come and assist us, to rescue this democracy, we will not fail from doing that. I want to call on all Nigerians to stand up”.

Continuing, the PDP National Chairman said, “There is a serious threat to democracy in this country. As soon as democracy crumbles, then that will be the end of this country, God forbid. But for us in PDP, I had said it and I want to say it quite emphatically, that if it means that we lay down our lives for democracy to strive and survive in Nigeria, we are prepared to do that”.

Speaking further, Turaki said, ‘So, I want to thank you, members of the press, in spite of the tear gas, that these other elements, because this is not police tear gas. I don’t know how they procure this tear gas and they are spraying it on us. But that has not and will never deter us. It has not deterred us and it will not deter us.

“So, I want to thank you so very much for your support and cooperation and I want to assure you that we have taken over our office and we will continue to give leadership and direction to this party from our national headquarters, which is the Wadata Plaza”, he stressed.