According to party insiders, Turaki emerged as the preferred candidate during a meeting of the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja on Sunday.

Opening the session, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara declared that the PDP would resist any attempt to undermine its structure, stressing that the party would not succumb to internal saboteurs.

He stated that the BoT intervened in line with the party’s constitution to help stabilise the PDP and foster reconciliation following its ongoing leadership crisis.

The development follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision invalidating the Makinde-backed PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.

In a 3–2 split judgment delivered on April 30, the apex court ruled that the convention breached existing restraining orders, faulting the party for proceeding in defiance of judicial directives.

Wabara said the ruling created a leadership vacuum, arguing that no duly recognised leadership currently exists within the party structure.

He further disclosed that the BoT had secured the required two-thirds majority to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, where the caretaker committee would be formally constituted.

He also directed PDP staff to resume duties, adding that efforts were underway to restore normalcy within the party.

Providing context to the crisis, Wabara accused some party members of working against the PDP, alleging that certain individuals were collaborating with opposition forces to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following the closed-door session, a source present at the meeting said most BoT members agreed that Tanimu Turaki (SAN) should head the proposed caretaker committee to be unveiled at the NEC meeting.

The source noted that Turaki’s recent contributions to party activities and his broad acceptability among stakeholders influenced the consensus in his favour.

However, another insider revealed that a minority of BoT members pushed for alternative candidates, although Turaki remained the leading choice going into the NEC meeting.

In a separate development, sources indicated that Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to formally declare his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election within the week.

According to the source, Makinde remains committed to the PDP despite internal turmoil and is expected to make his declaration between now and Saturday.

Meanwhile, the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rejected claims of a leadership vacuum, insisting that the current party leadership remains valid.

Its Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed the BoT meeting as inconsequential, maintaining that no court ruling had removed any recognised party official.

He further described the gathering as unofficial, insisting that Senator Mao Ohuabunwa remains the legitimate BoT chairman.

The PDP continues to grapple with deep internal divisions as rival factions contest control of the party structure ahead of the 2027 elections.