Umar Ibrahim, the House of Representatives candidate for Makarfi/Kudan federal constituency on the Peoples Democratic Party platform, says the party is repositioning itself to reclaim political relevance in Kaduna.

Mr Ibrahim said this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of an expanded PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on Monday.

He described the PDP as a “legacy party” with experienced politicians putting its structures together ahead of the elections.

According to him, the presence of former elected officials and party executives at the meeting demonstrated the depth of experience within the PDP.

“We are putting our act together. Several people from different parties are coming back to join the PDP and put hands together to ensure that we push these people out of government. We are experienced in politicking, so we know what we are doing. We are putting our heads together and planning our strategies,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim said the meeting was also aimed at presenting the party’s candidates to the public across various elective positions, including the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.

He described the turnout and calibre of leaders at the meeting as signs that the PDP remains a strong political force in Kaduna. The candidate also urged voters to reject vote-buying and other forms of inducement during the 2027 elections.

He said the electorate should instead assess candidates based on their integrity, track records, manifestos and capacity to deliver people-oriented programmes.

On education, Mr  Ibrahim expressed concern about what he described as the sector’s deterioration and neglect, urging voters to make it a major consideration when choosing their leaders.

Similarly, Danjuma Sarki, PDP flag-bearer for Zonkwa constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, promised to provide what he described as “positive representation” if elected in 2027. Mr Sarki said he would work to change the narrative of representation by making the legislature more accessible and responsive to the people.

He promised to support legislation that would benefit and develop the people, while also advising and supporting the executive arm where necessary to deliver the dividends of democracy. Mr Sarki said he would also lobby effectively for developmental projects and programmes that would improve the welfare and livelihood of his constituents.

Another PDP candidate, Abdullahi El-Kudan, who is seeking to represent Kudan constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, described the stakeholders’ meeting as important for the party’s preparations for the next election.

Mr El-Kudan said the gathering gave party members from different parts of the state an opportunity to deliberate on the way forward. He identified security, education and agriculture as his major priorities if elected, noting that Kudan was largely an agrarian constituency.

NAN)