Defectors no longer PDP members, Bature warns

The National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Bature, has warned former party members who defected to other political platforms, declaring that they have lost every right to identify with the PDP.

Speaking in Sokoto on Saturday during a state congress organised by the Nyesom Wike-aligned faction of the party, Bature said defectors should stop attending PDP functions and presenting themselves as members of the opposition party.

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

The PDP chieftain also dismissed suggestions that his faction was working in the interest of the All Progressives Congress, insisting that the group’s focus remained on strengthening the PDP ahead of future elections.

“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.

Bature said the opposition’s biggest challenge remained internal disunity.

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

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

Through a consensus arrangement, Hayatu Tafida emerged as state chairman, while Ahmad Fada was elected state secretary.

In his acceptance speech, Tafida promised to unite members and reposition the party.

“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 PDP governorship candidate in the state, Abdullahi Sokoto, appealed to former members and supporters who had left the party to return, assuring them of politics driven by issues rather than personal attacks.

“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 continuing leadership disputes within the PDP at both national and state levels, with rival factions still contesting control of party structures following political realignments that emerged after the 2023 general elections.