The camp of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), on Monday confirmed that he had successfully submitted his completed nomination and expression of interest forms for the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the party’s 2025 elective national convention, even as controversy deepened over the alleged denial of forms to other aspirants.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Umar Sani, a key member of the Turaki team and a prominent PDP stakeholder from the North-West zone, told journalists that the former minister had met all requirements and submitted his forms before the official deadline of October 27, 2025.
According to Sani, “Today is the final day for the submission of nomination forms, and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki has fulfilled all righteousness. The forms have been duly acknowledged by the party, and we are now awaiting his invitation for screening.”
The confirmation comes amid growing outrage within the party following reports that some aspirants, notably former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, were allegedly denied access to the nomination forms. Lamido had told reporters at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, that officials informed him the forms were in the custody of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, chairman of the convention committee, an allegation that has fueled concerns about fairness and transparency in the process.
Lamido had publicly alleged that he was deliberately denied access to the forms, accusing the party leadership of manipulating the process to favour a preselected candidate.
Responding to the development, Sani maintained that the Turaki team had followed all laid-down procedures and that questions regarding the unavailability of forms at Wadata Plaza should be directed to the party, not to their camp.
“Today is for submission, not for purchase,” he clarified. “If Lamido went to Wadata looking for forms, he went to the wrong place. We have followed due process and submitted ours. If the forms were not available there, that’s for the party to explain.”
When pressed by journalists to explain how and when the Turaki camp obtained their forms, Sani argued that the party was within its constitutional rights to determine how it conducts its internal affairs, citing a Supreme Court judgment affirming political party autonomy.
“How we got the form is immaterial,” he said. “The important thing is that we have it, and we are contesting.”
Sani also addressed concerns over the reported consensus arrangement that produced Turaki as the preferred chairmanship candidate of northern PDP governors. He dismissed claims that the process lacked consultation, explaining that all governors and key stakeholders were involved in the deliberations.
“There was a meeting of all northern PDP governors and representatives from all states. After due consultation, the governors resolved to adopt Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the consensus candidate. No one at that meeting objected,” he said.
The team leader recalled that the PDP had a long history of leaders emerging through presidential or gubernatorial influence, listing past chairmen who were products of power blocs.
“From Gemade to Audu Ogbeh, Ogbulafor, Bamanga Tukur, Adamu Muazu, and Secondus, all had the support of sitting presidents or governors. So governors have always played critical roles,” he said.
Addressing insinuations that Turaki was afraid of open competition, Sani stated that the former minister remained a loyal and long-standing member of the PDP, having never defected or abandoned the party.
“He is not afraid of anyone. He has been in this party from inception, contributed legally, financially, and politically, and will put the PDP on a sound footing if given the mandate” Sani stated.
He further downplayed any personal rift between Turaki and Lamido, describing their disagreement as a mere procedural issue.
“Turaki spoke with Lamido two days ago. They have no personal problem. This is purely a party matter,” he said.
The governor Ahmadu Fintiri-led convention committee is yet to respond to the allegations, even as pressure mounts for the PDP to demonstrate transparency and unity ahead of the high-stakes convention in Ibadan.
