By Dr. Ikenna Agu
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once the dominant political party in Nigeria, is at another turning point in its long and eventful history. Founded in 1998 as a broad-based coalition of political heavyweights, the PDP held power at the centre for sixteen uninterrupted years before it was ousted in 2015. Since then, the party has struggled to find its footing amidst internal wrangling, external infiltration, and the changing dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape. The choice of its next National Chairman will be crucial in shaping its revival and repositioning ahead of future elections. Among the names being considered for the position, one stands out with unmatched credentials, political tact, and unifying appeal—Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former Minister, statesman, and bridge-builder.
As the PDP navigates through a storm of crises and divisions fuelled by competing interests, external interference, and the search for a credible national identity, the odds clearly favour Turaki. He represents the middle ground, the neutral voice, and the reconciliatory figure the party desperately needs at this point. His political ingenuity, his background as a respected legal luminary, and his proven capacity to unify diverse factions make him the right man for the job.
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is not just another politician seeking relevance in Nigeria’s crowded political space; he is a man whose life journey has been marked by distinction, discipline, and determination. A trained lawyer who rose through the ranks of legal practice to attain the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Turaki commands respect both in the courtroom and in the political arena. The SAN title, equivalent to the Queen’s Counsel in the British legal system, is not conferred lightly—it is reserved for legal practitioners who have attained the highest level of excellence, integrity, and contribution to the law.
Turaki’s rise in the legal profession and his later venture into politics provide an inspiring backdrop to his story. His grounding in law honed his skills in negotiation, persuasion, and mediation—skills that are indispensable in managing the competing interests of a political party as diverse as the PDP. Unlike many who take to politics as a full-time career without a fallback profession, Turaki’s foundation as a lawyer and statesman affords him a unique perspective: he sees leadership as service and responsibility, not as an avenue for personal enrichment or vendetta.
One of Turaki’s most outstanding attributes is his political ingenuity. Over the years, he has proven himself capable of navigating complex political situations without losing his integrity or neutrality. He has consistently played the role of a peacemaker, often bridging divides and helping warring camps within the PDP find common ground. This ingenuity is not accidental—it is rooted in his ability to listen, empathize, and design solutions that accommodate diverse interests without alienating any camp.
Turaki’s political style is not confrontational but diplomatic, a rare quality in Nigeria’s often volatile political climate. This makes him stand out as the one figure who can steer the PDP back to its original vision of inclusivity and internal democracy. His calm disposition, strategic thinking, and respect for due process are qualities that inspire confidence not only among party members but also among ordinary Nigerians who yearn for leaders that can be trusted.
The PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has in recent years been bedeviled by crises, much of it instigated or exacerbated by external influence. The presence of clashing godfathers and conflicting regional interests has often left the party in turmoil, unable to function cohesively as a national movement. The need for a neutral, widely acceptable, and unifying chairman has therefore become paramount.
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is uniquely positioned to fill this role. Unlike many aspirants whose loyalty is tied to specific political camps or godfathers, Turaki is one of the few who commands respect across the board. His neutrality is not born of aloofness but of a deliberate effort over the years to maintain cordial relationships across factions. He is the type of leader who inspires confidence in his fairness, someone that all camps can rally around knowing he has no hidden agenda of vendetta or domination.
It is noteworthy that among the possible contenders for the PDP Chairmanship position from the North West, two names stand out: former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Markafi, and former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. Both men are formidable politicians in their own right—respected statesmen with significant political networks. However, their relationship with Kabiru Tanimu Turaki tilts the balance in his favour.
Markafi, known for his calmness and intellect, and Shekarau, respected for his grassroots mobilization, have both worked closely with Turaki in the past. Their friendship with him transcends partisan calculations. In fact, it is widely believed that with little or no persuasion, both men would defer to Turaki, acknowledging his past political records, his collaborative style, and his capacity to serve as a neutral reconciler.
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s political journey reflects a steady climb marked by achievements, loyalty, and service. He was a member of the 2004 Political Reform Conference convened under President Olusegun Obasanjo—a platform where he contributed to far-reaching recommendations on governance, restructuring, and national cohesion.
As Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs under President Jonathan, Turaki performed admirably, overseeing sensitive national assignments and coordinating intergovernmental relations at a time when Nigeria was grappling with complex challenges. He was also appointed Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, a committee tasked with engaging insurgents in the pursuit of peace. This assignment, perhaps more than any other, revealed Turaki’s courage, tact, and willingness to place himself in difficult positions for the sake of national peace.
Earlier in his career, Turaki was deeply involved in party organization at both state and national levels, contributing to the strengthening of the PDP as a truly national movement. These roles prepared him for higher leadership by exposing him to the inner workings of political party administration, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
Several factors converge to place the odds in favour of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. First, his impeccable legal background and the SAN title confer on him a moral authority that few politicians can boast of. In an era where credibility is in short supply, this distinction becomes invaluable.
Second, his neutrality in the current crisis within the PDP makes him the only candidate who can be accepted across board. Unlike others whose candidacy might deepen existing divides, Turaki’s emergence would be met with relief and optimism by all factions.
Third, his political friendships and alliances, particularly with figures like Markafi and Shekarau, eliminate the possibility of bitter rivalries in the contest. Instead, the contest is likely to end with a consensus in his favour, reinforcing his image as a unifier.
Finally, his record of service—whether as Minister, peace negotiator, or party stalwart—speaks of a man who has been tested and proven at various levels of governance. He is not an accidental politician but a deliberate leader whose journey has prepared him for this task.
At a time when the PDP stands at the crossroads of survival or decline, the importance of choosing the right chairman cannot be overstated. The party does not need a partisan strongman; it needs a reconciler, a bridge-builder, and a visionary. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki embodies all these qualities and more.
His political ingenuity, his statesmanlike disposition, his unifying qualities, and his respected profile as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria make him not just a candidate but the inevitable choice. Unlike others who carry the baggage of factional allegiances, Turaki’s neutrality positions him as the one leader who can heal the wounds of the PDP and set it back on the path of national dominance.
The odds clearly favour him—not just because of his credentials, but because the party itself is in dire need of his kind of leadership. His friends and contemporaries, Markafi and Shekarau, would defer to him out of respect for his past collaborations and his unique standing. His past experiences, from serving as Minister to leading sensitive peace initiatives, have sharpened his ability to lead with wisdom and courage.
As the PDP prepares for this crucial transition, one thing is certain: Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is not just the right man for the job—he is the only man who can command the respect, trust, and unity the party desperately needs. If the PDP is to rise again, then its rebirth must be anchored on a chairman who understands its soul, respects its diversity, and can reconcile its factions. That man is Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
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