By
Baba Martins
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from North, including governors from the region, have unanimously endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as their consensus candidate for the position of national chairman ahead of the party’s November convention.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, disclosed this after a meeting of Northern PDP leaders held on Wednesday night in Abuja.
He, however, clarified that the endorsement does not preclude other aspirants from contesting, noting that the party’s constitution guarantees every member the right to test their popularity at the convention.
Despite the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduling October 31 to rule on whether the convention should proceed, the party has continued its preparations. Present at the meeting were Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara). Others included former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Governors Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna) and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Professor Jerry Gana, and members of the National Working Committee from the North led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Governor Fintiri said the endorsement aims to ensure a smooth and successful convention, adding that other party positions would be discussed at the zonal level.
The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has scheduled the convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
