The Labour Party in Sokoto has elected new executive leaders through a consensus arrangement during its state congress held on Saturday.

The congress, held at the party’s state headquarters, drew delegates from all 23 local government areas, filling the venue with red, white, and green party colours and enthusiastic chants.

The consensus process produced Yawale Abubakar as the new chairman in Sokoto, with Said Ahmad emerging as vice chairman, Ladan Muhammad as deputy chairman (North), Ibrahim Isa as deputy chairman (East), and Abdullahi Muhammad as deputy chairman (South).

Also sworn in were Bello Gwadabawa as deputy chairman, Maryam Sani as deputy chairman (female), Nura Abubakar as secretary, Yusuf Abubakar as assistant secretary I, Nasiru Aminu as assistant secretary II, Attahiru Abubakar as financial secretary, Jamilu Adamu, organising secretary; Abubakar Musa, publicity secretary; Misbahu Bashir, legal adviser; and Saifullahi Bello, auditor.

Women’s leadership positions were also filled, with Aisha Mukhtar as women leader, supported by Rukayya Muhammad (deputy women leader, North), Hadiza Atiku (deputy women leader, South), and Hannatu Buhari (deputy women leader, East).

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Mr Abubakar, pledged to work collaboratively with party members to strengthen the party’s presence not only in Sokoto but across the country.

“We have received the task, and I assure you that the story will be different in Sokoto state and Nigeria. Our party has the capacity and ability to deliver greater change and uplift the living standard of Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Abubakar recalled the party’s major gains in the 2023 elections, describing the party’s victories in Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory as “historic breakthroughs”.

“If our presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, could break the APC’s strongholds in those places, we can replicate that success here in Sokoto,” he declared, drawing loud applause from the delegates.

He criticised some governors who recently defected to the APC, accusing them of prioritising “selfish interests” but stressed that such moves would not derail the Labour Party’s mission.

Mr Abubakar added that the new state executive would prioritise grassroots mobilisation, policy advocacy and expanding the party’s reach in rural communities. He also announced plans to launch a statewide campaign to present the LP’s alternative political vision.

(NAN)