The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has inaugurated new state executive committee members in Sokoto State — and told the rival group to pack it up.
The fresh executives were sworn in on Saturday ahead of the 2027 general elections, with officials from the PDP National Secretariat and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervising the congress.
Abubakar Bawa-Kalgo, who led the delegation, said the exercise was transparent and followed the party's constitution. He dissolved the state caretaker committee before inaugurating the new team.
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.
PDP governorship candidate Abubakar Abdullahi congratulated the new officials and charged them to work hard for the party. But he also aimed directly at the rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki.
Abdullahi questioned how the Turaki group could still claim leadership after the Supreme Court nullified the convention that produced them. “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 asked.
The Supreme Court had earlier voided the PDP national convention that produced the Turaki-led faction, creating a legitimacy crisis that the Wike camp is now exploiting.
PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature was even more direct. He called for unity to strengthen the party's chances in Sokoto but told the rival faction to shut its office. “I call on those claiming to be the leaders of 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, new Chairman Hayatu Tafida thanked party members for the confidence and pledged to work diligently to advance the party's interests in the state.
The inauguration deepens the ongoing rift within the PDP, which has been split between the Wike camp and the faction loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The Wike group has been holding parallel congresses and conventions, insisting it is the legitimate structure of the party.
With the 2027 elections less than a year away, control of state party structures is critical for candidate selection and campaign organisation. The Sokoto state chapter is particularly important because the PDP lost the governorship in 2023 but remains competitive in the state.
The Turaki faction hasn't yet responded to the inauguration or the call to shut down its operations.