A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has sworn in new leaders in Sokoto State. The executives took their oaths at a state congress held in the capital on Thursday.
Barrister Fatima Hassan Attahiru administered the oath to the newly elected officials. National party officials, INEC representatives, and security agencies all supervised the exercise.
Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Kalgo headed the national delegation at the congress. He confirmed the exercise followed the party's constitution to the letter.
Kalgo dissolved the state's previous caretaker committee before the inauguration took place. He then formally inducted the fresh set of executives into their positions.
Hayatu Tafida emerged as the new state chairman. Other elected officers include Maryam Muhammad Kande as vice chairman and Ahmad S.
Fawa as secretary.
Hadiza Abubakar was elected women leader while Bello Bashar takes the treasurer's role. Faisal Jibril will serve as organising secretary in the new team.
Buhari Sidi Attahiru claimed the publicity secretary position. Abdulkadir Umar Gidadawa was voted youth leader, with Murtala Muhammad as auditor and Farida Muhammad as financial secretary.
After his swearing-in, Tafida promised to build party unity across Sokoto. "We'll work hard to strengthen the PDP and push its goals forward," he told party members present.
The National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, made a direct appeal to defectors. He urged members who jumped to the African Democratic Congress to rejoin the party.
Bature also took aim at rival PDP leaders in the state. "Tell them to shut that office down immediately," he warned those claiming authority on behalf of the party.
According to him, the rival group lost all recognition and authority. "If they don't comply, we'll let the courts decide," Bature stated firmly.
He dismissed claims that Wike's faction was working with the ruling APC. "Why would we build candidates and strengthen structures if we served another party?" he asked rhetorically.
Bature expressed optimism about the party's comeback in future elections. He insisted the faction remained focused on internal reorganisation and electoral preparation.
