Northern Leaders Back Former Minister for PDP Top Post

Northern leaders of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party have endorsed a former minister as their preferred candidate for the position of national chairman.

Kabir Tanimu Turaki, who served as minister of special duties, is now positioned to potentially take the helm of the PDP. His possible selection stems from the support he secured from party stakeholders in the north.

The development comes as the party prepares to hold its national convention. The gathering is set to take place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in the southwest of the country.

Nigeria's PDP has functioned as the country's primary opposition party since losing the presidency in 2015. It previously held power for 16 years following the return to civilian rule in 1999.

The national chairman role is one of the most influential within the party structure. The position oversees the party's direction and strategy at the federal level.

Turaki holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a designation for distinguished legal practitioners in the country. His background includes both legal practice and executive government service.

Party conventions in Nigeria typically involve the election of national officers. These events often serve as platforms for realigning internal factions and addressing leadership disputes that may have built up over time.

The PDP has faced significant internal challenges in recent years. These have included leadership crises and questions over the party's ability to mount a unified challenge in national elections.

Any new chairman would be expected to focus on rebuilding party cohesion. This would be particularly important in the northern regions where the PDP has historically drawn substantial support.

Based on reporting by Daily Trust.