PDP warns defectors against parading selves as party members

The National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Umar Bature, has warned former members who have defected to other political parties to stop parading themselves as members of the PDP, insisting that they no longer have any claim to the party’s structures.

Bature spoke in Sokoto during a state congress organised by a faction of the PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, where a new state executive committee was elected.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the event, Bature dismissed concerns over the strength of the PDP, arguing that the opposition itself was struggling with internal divisions.

“There is a lack of unity among the opposition, and that is very obvious,” he said.

The PDP chieftain particularly cautioned politicians who had left the party against continuing to identify themselves as PDP members.

“They know they are not members of the PDP, so they should stop attending events as members of the PDP. They were legally dissolved because they have moved to another party. They should go and concentrate on their party and leave the PDP alone,” he stated.

Bature also rejected allegations that his faction of the PDP was working in the interest of the ruling party.

“If we are working for another party, why are we building structures and preparing for elections? Those making such allegations should focus on the challenges within their own parties,” he said.

The congress, supervised by a national delegation led by Hajia Ilo Attahiru, dissolved the state’s caretaker committee and inaugurated a substantive executive to oversee the affairs of the party in Sokoto.

A member of the electoral committee, Hon. Kalgo, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, saying it would strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

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Following the congress, Hayatu Tafida emerged as State Chairman, while Ahmad S. Fada was elected State Secretary through a consensus arrangement.

In his acceptance speech, Tafida pledged to work for the unity and growth of the PDP in the state.

“We appreciate the confidence reposed in us and pledge to work tirelessly for the unity, progress and success of our great party,” he said.

Also speaking, the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Abdullahi Sokoto, called on former PDP supporters who had left the party to return, assuring that the party would continue to pursue issue-based politics.

“We are committed to politics devoid of rancour, falsehood, character assassination and unsubstantiated allegations. We shall only promise what we are capable of delivering if elected into office,” he said.

The congress comes amid lingering leadership disputes within the PDP at both the national and state levels. In Sokoto, rival factions have laid claim to the party structure following divisions that emerged after the 2023 elections and the subsequent realignment of political interests within the opposition party.

The faction that conducted the congress is aligned with Nyesom Wike and his supporters, who have maintained a separate political bloc within the PDP. The group insists it remains committed to rebuilding the party and positioning it for the 2027 elections despite ongoing internal disagreements.