Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), moved today to strengthen his power within the party. Former governors and ministers who were elected or appointed on the PDP platform supported the new National Working Committee (NWC). This seems to be an early, coordinated effort to reposition the party before the 2027 general elections.
Vanguard says that the show of togetherness happened at a combined strategic meeting in Abuja with members of the PDP NWC and two of the party’s most powerful groups, former governors and former ministers.
Turaki, the Chairman of the PDP Former Governors’ Forum and former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the former Governor of Kano State and Minister of Education, were among those who spoke at the gathering.
According to party insiders, the conference was part of a series of consolidation meetings started by the Turaki-led NWC after the PDP’s national electoral convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
The meetings are meant to bring the party back together, restore trust among party officials, and give the PDP a new direction following years of internal conflicts, defections, and leadership problems.
Turaki, who opened the session, stated that it was planned to bring together former governors and ministers. He stressed that the PDP’s 16 years in power were distinguished by policies, initiatives, and institutional reforms that still affect how the country is run today.
Turaki remarked, “When you talk about the 16 glorious years of the PDP, you are talking about the amazing work done by our former ministers and the unusual projects and legacies left by our former governors.”
He said that the NWC was purposefully asking party elders for honest advice on how the PDP gained the trust of the public in the past and how those lessons could be used to help the party get back into power.
“We want to know what you did that set PDP’s leadership apart, what made Nigerians trust you, and what made PDP a household name. “We are ready to take advice, guidance, and even orders,” he stated.
Turaki admitted that the party had made mistakes over the years, but he said that the new leadership was determined to fix those faults by being open, fair, and more involved with Nigerians.
“This family meeting will be all out.” We will be honest and ruthless with ourselves. We are eager to fix the mistakes we made now that we have admitted them. He said, “This is a new PDP.”
Dr. Babangida Aliyu emphasized in his speech that the PDP’s path back to power must be based on humility, respect for the people, and a return to leadership that puts people first. He said that Nigerians remember how presidents made them feel more than the roads and buildings they created.
“People don’t remember the skyscrapers you build; they remember the good times they had.” Aliyu added, “Being a leader means respecting the people and knowing what your duties are.”
Aliyu said that Nigeria’s government has been bad since 2015, and that the country’s problems and popular anger have given the PDP a moral and political opportunity before the 2027 elections.
“People in Nigeria have been unhappy since 2015. They are mad. He remarked, “It is our duty to make sure that by 2027 we give this country help, hope, and direction.”
He told party leaders not to let conflicts, investigations, or defections get them down. He said that the PDP’s survival rests on discipline, bravery, and following its norms.
“We’ve come this far; we can’t give up now.” Aliyu said, “PDP will not die until we die.”
Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, speaking for the previous ministers, lauded the work of the Turaki-led NWC. He said that the chairman had exceeded expectations in a short amount of time and shown great bravery in dealing with problems both inside and outside the organization.
“The chairman has done a lot more than we thought he would in the last four or five weeks.” Shekarau added, “We were impressed by the visits, the meetings, and the strong will with which we faced the evils.”
He remembered the swearing-in of new party officials at the PDP national headquarters. He said that party leaders overcame threats and security problems to get the secretariat back.
“When we went to our national headquarters to swear in the new officers, we stood up against tear gas and threats from uniformed personnel paid by the demons. Finally, the chairman spoke to the whole country from the desk of the national chairman. “Congratulations, Chairman,” he said.
Shekarau noted that the PDP’s 16 years in power left a legacy that many Nigerians now openly want, based on what they have seen under previous governments.
“Please take us back to where you took over from us,” several Nigerians on the street are saying. He said, “People say that you will never appreciate the sweetness of your own soup until you taste the soup of other people’s homes.”
He told the NWC that all of the former ministers would support them, and he stressed that winning in 2027 will depend on courage, commitment, and determination, not numbers.
“It’s not about the numbers. We have witnessed courage, devotion, and determination in the chairman and members of the NWC. Shekarau remarked, “On behalf of all the ministers, we promise to always support, commit, and work with you.”
Party leaders said that while some former office holders have joined the ruling party or taken up ambassadorial roles, others are still on the outside of the PDP’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The PDP leadership said that the engagement was the start of a larger plan to reconnect the party with its base, rebuild trust within the party, and show itself to be a credible alternative before the next election cycle. They also promised Nigerians that the party was ready to listen, make changes, and return to power.
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