ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of its Chairman, Taminu Turaki, says the party was “back and ready to take its rightful place” in Nigeria’s democratic process, amid lingering internal disputes within the opposition party.
The faction stated that its engagement with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aimed at seeking guidance and political support ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as the party intensifies efforts to reposition itself nationally.
This was disclosed during a visit to Obasanjo at his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
The visit came against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the PDP, with the Wike-led National Executive Committee (NEC) accusing Turaki’s group of flouting court judgments by organising what it described as an “illegal convention” in Ibadan, where Turaki emerged as factional chairman.
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During the visit, Turaki, was accompanied by former governors Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Senator Jonah Jang of Plateau State, former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, and PDP National Secretary, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja.
The delegation was received by the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, alongside other senior party officials, before proceeding to a closed-door meeting with the former president.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the delegation was at Obasanjo’s residence to formally present the party’s newly elected leadership and tap into his wealth of political experience.
“During our recent Congress in Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, former President under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I did not come alone.
“The former Senate President and BOT Chairman of our great party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, is here. Likewise, our National Secretary, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, and two former governors of Niger and Plateau States, Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Sen. Jonah Jang, are also part of the entourage,” he said.
He added, “We came to thank the former president for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power.
“We also came to appreciate his role in building strong institutions that the country continues to benefit from today. Furthermore, we sought his guidance and inspiration as an oracle to help us in the gargantuan task that lies ahead.”
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Using a proverb to underscore the importance of experience, Turaki remarked, “A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots. We have come to see our father here in Abeokuta, and we have spoken to Baba, and Baba too has spoken to us. We are enriched.”
He stressed that the party was already gearing up for future electoral contests.
“PDP is battle-ready for 2027. As a mark of readiness, we shall first reclaim Ekiti State, followed by Osun State.
“By the time we win these two states, no one will doubt that PDP is on the rise and ready to challenge the APC government’s incompetence and maladministration,” Turaki said.
He also appealed for unity among party members, noting that, “The advice I give PDP members globally is that PDP is back and is ready to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country.
“Since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is more worried than ever. The equation has changed, and PDP is prepared to send them packing in 2027.”