Nigeria: Turaki leads PDP delegation on visit to former president Obasanjo

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its self‑styled National Chairman, Taminu Turaki, travelled to Abeokuta on Saturday to meet former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his home. The delegation included former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, PDP Deputy National Chairman Taofeek Arapaja, former Plateau State governor Jonah Jang and Ambassador Folake Marcus‑Bello, among others. They were received by the Ogun State PDP chairman, Abayomi Tella, and other state party officials before entering a closed‑door meeting with Obasanjo.

The purpose of the visit has not been officially disclosed. However, it comes at a time of deepening internal crisis within the PDP, marked by a series of high‑profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara recently left the PDP for the APC, citing a failure to protect his political interests. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also resigned from the PDP and joined the Accord Party, securing its governorship ticket for the August 2026 election.

The meeting with Obasanjo, a former military ruler and PDP founder, is being viewed as an attempt by the PDP faction to rally support and possibly seek guidance amid the party’s turmoil. No further details have been released about the discussions.