Wike’s PDP Faction Holds Kano Congress, Elects New Executives

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Nyesom Wike on Saturday conducted its Kano State congress, producing a new set of party executives through a consensus arrangement.

Naija News reports that the congress took place days after a Federal High Court ruling reportedly set aside the Tanimu Turaki-led party executives at the national level. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were said to have supervised the exercise.

At the end of the congress, Bello Gambo Bichi emerged as the new state chairman of the party.

Other executives produced at the exercise include Ali Mati Shantake, who emerged as financial secretary; Hafsat Abubakar as women leader; Musa Baba Dala as publicity secretary; and Auwal Ya’u as youth leader.

Also elected were Abdullahi Umar as legal adviser and Lawan Shehu Yakasai as treasurer.

Speaking shortly after announcing the results, the chairman of the party’s electoral committee sent to Kano, Aminu Abdullahi Taura, said the exercise followed the dissolution of ward and local government congresses across the state.

According to him, the Congress formed part of ongoing internal reforms within the party.

Taura also expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances in future elections, noting that many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He said Nigerians were “fed up with APC” and still nostalgic about the period the PDP held power at the national level.

Taura disclosed that a total of 29 members of the state executive council were elected during the exercise.

He noted that the executives emerged unanimously following consultations among stakeholders and the party’s caretaker committee.

The committee chairman stressed that despite past disagreements, the PDP remained united and efforts were ongoing to reconcile aggrieved members.

Also speaking at the congress, the party’s National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, dismissed claims that the party was divided.

Aboki emphasised that the PDP remained a single, indivisible political party despite internal disputes.

He also highlighted the conduct of congresses across 448 wards and 44 local government areas in Kano State.

The youth leader further noted that the party had never previously had a young person occupying the national youth leadership position until the emergence of Wike.

The congress also recognised the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in the state, Muhammad Sani Abacha, as the party’s leader in Kano.

Party leaders at the event commended him for what they described as his contributions to the growth and development of the PDP in the state.

They also assured members that reconciliation efforts would continue to ensure the party emerges stronger ahead of future political contests.