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By Myke Agunwa
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has declared that the presence and solidarity of 29 state chairmen in Abuja is proof that the party remains united and firmly under the leadership of its newly elected National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking during a meeting with PDP State Chairmen at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Turaki dismissed claims by what he described as “self-proclaimed factions” of the party, insisting that the authentic leadership is not in doubt.
“With 29 state chairmen seated here, apologies from two, and a few chapters temporarily without executives due to dissolution, tell me—who is not here?” Turaki asked. “These are known faces and veterans in their own right. They are here physically, not virtually. The whole world can now see where the true leadership of the PDP resides.”
The party leader praised the state chairmen for their role in the successful national convention in Ibadan, saying they “led their army of delegates, believed in us, and convinced their troops to vote for us.” He said the Forum of State Chairmen was the first recognized organ of the party to openly congratulate the NWC after its emergence.
Describing the chairmen as “General Officers Commanding” the party’s structure nationwide, Turaki said their support remains critical to the NWC’s plans to reposition and return the PDP to the people.
“Our desire is to take the party back to the people. Who better to partner with us than our state chairmen?” he said. “Your support is something we will never take for granted.”
The meeting, the first formal engagement between the NWC and the forum, was convened to review handover notes from the previous leadership, assess the health of the party across states, and agree on urgent steps to address challenges.
Turaki said the party’s new mission is to “rescue Nigeria” from what he described as the “inept leadership of the APC,” accusing the ruling party of reversing gains made during the PDP’s 16 years in power.
“Today, Nigerians are begging: if you cannot take us forward, at least take us back to where we were in 2015,” he said. “But we say to Nigerians—we will not just take you back. By 2027, we will take over power and move Nigeria to the promised land. It’s doable. We’ve done it before and we will do it again.”
He appealed for honest, open discussions during the meeting, emphasizing that the leadership was ready to listen to criticisms and frontline insights from the states.
“This is a no-holds-barred meeting,” Turaki said. “Unless we speak freely and honestly, we cannot get results. This new leadership means business — and business we shall do.”