Qubad Talabani: Election of Kirkuk’s First Turkmen Governor a Historic Step for Coexistence

Qubad Talabani’s media office

Qubad Talabani visits Kirkuk.

Qubad Talabani, Supervisor of the Bureau of President Mam Jalal Secretariat, visited Kirkuk on Thursday, 7 May 2026, where he met with Governor Mohammed Samaan and First Deputy Governor Rebwar Taha.

During the meeting, Talabani congratulated the governor and reaffirmed the readiness of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to support the new administration in serving all citizens of the province without discrimination.

Talabani described the election of the first governor from the Turkmen community in Kirkuk’s history as a “significant historical event”, expressing hope that it would further strengthen coexistence among all communities in the province.

He stressed that the PUK has consistently carried the banner of coexistence in Kirkuk and opposed the marginalisation of any community, adding that the party’s long-standing objective has been for the province to be governed fairly by all its constituent groups.

Talabani also stated that all officials, regardless of their background, must serve every citizen equally, warning that any policy based on discrimination would not benefit Kirkuk or its people.

He called on the governor, his deputy, the provincial council and all institutions to strengthen coordination in order to better serve the province, while reiterating the PUK’s readiness to provide support and assistance.


PUKMEDIA