Nigeria’s ruling party picks new officers

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has emerged by consensus the new national chairman of the PDP, following the withdrawal of 10 other aspirants from the race.
And the new chairman declared afterall:Tukur, “ in PDP everybody is a winner’’.

He pledged not to allow his personal interest to influence the party`s decision, promising to serve the party and the people.

More than 4,500 delegates from 36 states and FCT voted in Abuja on Saturday to affirm his position as the national chairman by voting for Yes or No.
The party gave ballot papers to delegates to affirm since he emerged unopposed.

Also, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun, emerged the only candidate for the position of national secretary of the party.
Other aspirants for the post had stepped down for him at the venue of the convention.

In the same vein, Chief Olisa Metuh, former Deputy National Chairman South-East, was returned as national publicity secretary, as other aspirants withdrew from the race.

Delegates interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria described the process leading to the emergence of the new PDP party leaders as transparent.
The aspirants, who withdrew from contest, said their withdrawal was in the interest of the party as well as the unity of members of the PDP.

Sen. Barnabas Gemade, former national chairman of the party moved the motion for the amendment of the party’s constitution.The motion was supported by Hajia Inna Ciroma, the outgoing national woman leader.


The FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohamed, described the adoption of consensus candidates by delegates at the PDP National Convention as evidence that internal democracy of the party had matured. The Minister described the consensus idea as “measurable and tangible”.

“You can see the consensus is measurable and tangible, it can be touched, it is not artificial and it is not a delusion, it is real.
“It is real because each and every candidate has keyed into the consensus and that shows that the internal democracy in the party is free of rancour, conflict and misunderstanding.’

PM News