The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated the newly elected state executive committee members in Sokoto State.

The executive members were inaugurated in Sokoto ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The congress was supervised by officials from the PDP national secretariat and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Leader of the delegation, Abubakar Bawa-Kalgo, described the exercise as transparent, credible and in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Mr Bawa-Kalgo, who earlier dissolved the state caretaker committee, inaugurated the new executives and urged them to remain accessible, accountable and committed to their duties.

The new executives include Hayatu Tafida as state chairman; Ahmad S. Fawa as secretary; Bello Bashir as treasurer; Abdulkadir Gidadawa as youth leader; Murtala Muhammad as auditor; Hadiza Abubakar as women leader; and Buhari Sidi-Attahiru as publicity secretary.

Speaking at the event, the PDP governorship candidate, Abubakar Abdullahi, congratulated the new officials and charged them to work diligently to advance the party’s growth.

Mr Abdullahi also called on members of the faction led by Tanimu Turaki to stop parading themselves as the legitimate leadership, arguing that the convention that produced them had been nullified by the Supreme Court.

“How can a group invited to convene a national convention in a state previously governed by one of its members continue to claim the leadership of our party after the Supreme Court nullified the convention?” he said.

Also speaking, the PDP national organising secretary, Umar Bature, called for unity to strengthen the party’s chances in Sokoto State.

He urged members of the rival faction to shut down their office, insisting that they were neither legally nor constitutionally recognised by the party.

“I call on those claiming to be the leaders of the PDP in Sokoto to stop doing so. You should shut that office to avoid impersonating the legitimate party leadership,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected state chairman, Hayatu Tafida, thanked the party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to serve diligently to advance the party’s interests in the state.

(NAN)