Individuals of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have defected from the party to other political platforms, have been warned to stop presenting themselves as members of the PDP, as such persons no longer have any legitimate claim to its structure or identity.
The party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature gave the warning during a state congress organised by a PDP faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike held in Sokoto.
Hon. Bature noted that those who have left the party should fully disengage from PDP activities and stop associating themselves with it in any form, stressing that their exit automatically disqualifies them from participating in its affairs.
The party’s National Organising Secretary stressed that they should focus on their new political platforms rather than interfere with PDP matters.
He also dismissed claims that his faction was collaborating with the ruling party, challenging critics to examine the party’s ongoing mobilisation and preparations for future elections as proof of its independence and resilience.
Hon. Bature while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, downplayed concerns about the PDP’s stability, arguing instead that the opposition is currently weakened by internal divisions and lack of cohesion.
The congress also featured the election of a new state executive committee.
The Sokoto congress, supervised by a national delegation led by Hajia Ilo Attahiru, dissolved the existing caretaker committee and inaugurated a substantive executive to manage party affairs in the state.
Electoral officials described the exercise as peaceful, orderly, and transparent.
Following the congress, Hayatu Tafida emerged as the new State Chairman, while Ahmad S. Fada was elected State Secretary through consensus arrangements.
In his acceptance remarks, Tafida pledged to promote unity, stability, and progress within the party.
The PDP governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Abdullahi Sokoto, also appealed to former members to return, emphasizing a commitment to issue-based politics and discouraging political hostility.
The event took place amid ongoing leadership tensions within the PDP at both national and state levels, with rival factions continuing to contest control of party structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
