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Tag: Tanimu Turaki

  • We know those who won’t fly PDP’s flag in 2027, says Turaki

    We know those who won’t fly PDP’s flag in 2027, says Turaki

    •‘Ex-VP Sambo remains our member’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki has said the party already knows those who will not be allowed to fly the party’s flag as its presidential candidate in next year’s general election.

    Turaki also reaffirmed the party’s decision to zone the PDP presidential ticket to the South.

    He said: “We don’t know who our candidate will be, but we know those who will not be (our candidate).”

    Turaki, who addressed reportersafter a meeting with former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo at his Abuja residence last night, said the former number two citizen reaffirmed his membership in the PDP.

    He said: “We are happy that those who keep the party a success are still with us.

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    “We came to introduce the newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to him. They were elected in our last National Elective Convention that took place in Ibadan.

    “Those who came with us also included members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the chairman of the BoT; founding fathers and mothers, members of the National Assembly, state chairmen, former ministers, former governors, former members of the National Assembly, and indeed other major party stakeholders across the country.

    “We met with His Excellency and we’ve had a very, very useful discussion with him. We told him the prospects and the challenges we’ve been facing since our election in Ibadan and generously proffered advice and guidance on the way forward as a winning platform for Nigerians.

  • PDP leadership crisis can be resolved in one week — Gbenga Hashim tells Tanimu Turaki

    PDP leadership crisis can be resolved in one week — Gbenga Hashim tells Tanimu Turaki

    …urges NEC to rise above factional interests to save Nigeria’s democracy

    A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party can be resolved within one week if its leadership embraces political solutions rather than prolonged legal battles.

    Hashim made this assertion during a meeting with the PDP national chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out-of-court resolution to the party’s internal dispute.

    The former presidential hopeful, who was also among the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected deputy national publicity secretary, said resolving the crisis politically would better serve the survival of the party and the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

    According to him, the party already possesses the constitutional authority required to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation.

    “There are more than enough legitimate members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene a meeting and resolve this crisis within one week,” Hashim stated.

    He cited Sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, which empower two-thirds of NEC members to convene a meeting, stressing that the majority of NEC members were elected before the disputed Ibadan convention and therefore retain unquestionable legitimacy.

    Hashim further explained that although the tenure of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) expired on December 8, the pre-Ibadan NEC members remain constitutionally empowered to intervene and take corrective action in the interest of the party.

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    “What is required now is courage and responsibility,” he said.

    “NEC members must rise above factional interests and stand for posterity, for the party, and for the nation.”

    He warned that continued internal paralysis could weaken the PDP’s capacity as a credible opposition party and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democratic balance.

    “We can fix this problem, and we should,” he added.

    Responding, the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), thanked Dr. Hashim for the visit and his commitment to party unity. He assured that the leadership under his watch remains open to reconciliation, stressing, however, that such efforts must not compromise the unity, stability, and continued existence of the party.

    The meeting, which was held at Turaki’s Asokoro residence in Abuja, was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman and the National Youth Leader of the party.

  • Turaki-led PDP writes Chief Judge over Justices Omotosho, Lifu, Abdulmalalik

    Turaki-led PDP writes Chief Judge over Justices Omotosho, Lifu, Abdulmalalik

    The Tanimu Turaki led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court against cases assigned to courts presided over by three judges, describing them as “Courts of Particular Concern”.

    In a letter dated November 19, 2025 by the National Secretary of the faction, Teofeek Arapaja and addressed to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the party listed the courts as those presided over by Hon. Justice James Omotosho, Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu and Hon. Justice Abduimalik.

    While Justice Omotosho and Lifu issued judgements stopping the party from proceeding with its just concluded national Convention in Ibadan, Justice Abdulmalalik is currently entertaining a suit against the party and INEC.

    Arapaja wrote: “I have the instruction and authority of the National Chairman of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the entire members of the newly-elected National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our Party to write this letter to Your Lordship concerning our fear and apprehension regarding all matters either filed by our Party or against our Party at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

    “My lord, it is of great concern to our Party that it would appear that all matters for the past few years filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division either for or against our Party have always been assigned to the following three Judges only, namely: Hon. Justice James Omotosho, Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu and Hon. Justice Abduimalik.

    “Even though there are other Judges numbering up to nine in the Abuja Judicial Division, who could have taken up any of these matters, as the Abuja Division has 12 Judges.

    “Several of our party members have recently complained bitterly to the newly elected members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the above-mentioned scenario.

    “Indeed, all these three Courts are viewed by party members and indeed the public as ‘courts of particular concern’ with regard to matters pertaining to or affecting the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “My lord, it is trite that justice must not only be done in all cases and circumstances with regard to matters pending and matters filed in the Court of law, but justice must be seen to be done indeed by reasonable members of the society including the members of our Party.

    “Given the current challenges facing the Party, there is high likelihood of cases being filed for or against the Party.

    “It is in this respect that we humbly plead and beg that in no other matters or circumstances with regard to cases that may be filed by or against our party henceforth should be assigned to any of these three Judges, since justice is rooted in trust and integrity.

    “Our party wishes to reiterate the fact that we have no iota of doubt with regard to the integrity of the Judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, headed by your Lordship in dispensing justice in all cases, other than the above-highlighted fears and apprehension of our party.

    “Kindly accept the assurances and warm regards of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our great party”.