Babangida urges new PDP leadership to rebuild party for 2027, stresses its national roots

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retired), has called on the new factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, to revitalize the party.

He advised Turaki to address past errors and reshape the PDP into a stabilizing force for the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Babangida issued this directive when Turaki, along with selected members of the PDP National Working Committee, visited him at his Minna residence.

Their discussions focused on renewing the party, ensuring national stability, and strengthening political structures across Nigeria.

The former leader praised the PDP delegation for standing with the government and people of Niger State during a challenging period, reaffirming the party’s deep-rooted presence nationwide. He described the PDP as the most structurally established political organization in Nigeria, recalling his own unsuccessful attempt to institutionalize a two-party system due to political resistance.

Babangida emphasized the need for tact, broad consultation, and inclusive leadership in the rebuilding process. “I urge you to use tact, seek people’s opinions, and work towards building a peaceful and progressive party. You have the capacity to do it,” he stated.

To underscore the enduring influence of political parties, Babangida shared a story of a military administrator he appointed in Niger State.

The administrator met a resident who, unaware of the military government, declared unwavering loyalty to then-President Shehu Shagari and the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

This, Babangida noted, illustrates how deeply parties can embed themselves in public consciousness.

In response, Turaki thanked Babangida for his ongoing guidance and assured him that the PDP would continue to draw from his vast experience and understanding of Nigeria’s political journey.

He expressed the party’s commitment to resetting its mechanisms, strengthening its organs, and reviving its competitive edge for 2027.

Turaki added that the visit, originally planned as a gesture of appreciation, also served to express condolences following recent abductions in Niger State.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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