No formal notice of Adeleke’s PDP exit, says party chairman Turaki

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Taminu Turaki, says the party has not been formally notified of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s reported exit, adding that the governor remains listed among aspirants in the ongoing primary. He noted that any withdrawal would only be recognised when officially communicated by party officials supervising the process.

Turaki also said former PDP governors nominated for ambassadorial positions had not informed the party of their appointments. He stressed that the PDP’s strength lies in its grassroots membership rather than office holders who defect, insisting that the party remains intact in states where political leaders have left.

Speaking after receiving handover notes from former acting chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Turaki said Adeleke, like any Nigerian, has the constitutional right to join or leave any political party. However, he maintained that defections would not weaken the PDP ahead of the 2027 general election.

In his remarks, Damagum praised the resilience of the PDP, saying its ability to overcome challenges unsettles the ruling APC. He urged the new leadership to uphold fairness, transparency and justice while navigating the party through difficult times.

Turaki reaffirmed that the PDP remains the party to beat in 2027, expressing confidence that those plotting its downfall would fail. He assured Damagum that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would continue to seek guidance from past leaders to strengthen the party.

He criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, saying Nigerians were unsafe at home, work and on the streets. Turaki called for a review of the nation’s security architecture, arguing that governors cannot function effectively as chief security officers without operational control over security agencies.

The chairman said the party had reviewed and approved the Osun governorship primary and was satisfied with its conduct, describing it as transparent and rancour-free. He added that preparations for the Anambra local government election were on track, with confidence that the PDP would perform strongly.

Turaki also confirmed the issuance of expulsion certificates to members earlier removed by the National Convention, saying this would prevent dual party membership disputes. He said the new NWC would ensure continuity by carefully studying its handover notes and positioning the PDP as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.