Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has defended the adoption of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Lawal said the decision followed due process and aligned with the party’s constitution, which allows consensus as a legitimate method of selecting leaders.

Northern PDP leaders had earlier in the week endorsed Turaki at a meeting in Abuja attended by governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Lawal, and the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

However, some North-West PDP stakeholders rejected the decision, accusing the governors of excluding them from the meeting.

Reacting on Friday during the inauguration of the accreditation subcommittee for the party’s forthcoming national convention, Lawal said disagreements were normal in politics.

“No matter what we do, some people will still be aggrieved. It is part of politics,” he said.

He insisted that the adoption of Turaki complied with the PDP constitution and was aimed at uniting members ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“In the constitution of our party, there is a provision for consensus. So, there is nothing new. It is part of our system,” he added.

Lawal expressed optimism that the PDP would resolve its internal issues and emerge stronger before the convention.

Gov Lawal defends adoption of Turaki as PDP consensus chairmanship candidate