Yobe PDP Stakeholders Reject Ward, LG Congresses Over Irregularities
By Baba Dan’Iya
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe have rejected the recently conducted ward and local government congresses of the party in the state, describing the exercise as irregular and exclusionary.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday in Damaturu, the Legal Adviser of the PDP in Yobe, Barrister Ahmed Warizi, expressed dismay over the conduct of the congresses which he said were carried out without the involvement of several legitimate party stakeholders.
Warizi, flanked by members of the PDP State Working Committee and chairmen from the 17 local government areas, said the congresses, held on May 8 and 13, failed to comply with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
“We are here today to express our deep sorrow and dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation in our party.
“The ward and local government congresses conducted across the 17 LGAs of the state are unfortunate and highly irregular,” he said.
He noted that the party’s constitution clearly outlines the procedures for conducting congresses and mandates the involvement of all card-carrying members and stakeholders.
“The constitution of the PDP, which is supreme and binding on all members, states categorically that every party activity, including congresses, must be inclusive and follow due process.
“The word shall as used in the constitution implies compulsion, not discretion,” he added.
Warizi expressed concern that the state chapter of the party, despite being home to the current Acting National Chairman of the PDP, had failed to uphold the ideals of internal democracy.
“As a state that holds such a strategic position at the national level, it is expected that we lead by example.
“Sadly, the congresses were conducted without regard for constitutional provisions or consultation with the grassroots,” he said.
Corroborating Warizi’s position, the PDP Chairman of Potiskum Local Government Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaibu said the congresses were held without their knowledge or involvement.
“The ward and local government congresses were adopted in Yobe on May 8 and 13 without our knowledge or participation.
“We are bonafide members of the party and deserve to be carried along in all its affairs, especially on critical matters like congresses,” he said.
Shuaibu lamented that despite their support for the acting National Chairman of the party, who hails from Yobe, they had been sidelined.
“We supported him wholeheartedly to become what he is today, believing he would be fair to all. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
“We are now appealing to the national secretariat to investigate the irregularities that occurred during the congresses in Yobe,” he said.
Reacting to the complaints, the outgoing State Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar El-Gash, insisted that proper notification was issued to all members through the party’s communication platforms.
He acknowledged, however, that aggrieved members had the right to seek redress.
“As usual, information on the congresses was shared with all members using the party’s official channels.
“Nevertheless, the constitution provides a clear avenue for any member who feels aggrieved to lodge complaints through the appropriate mechanisms,” El-Gash said.
The stakeholders called on the National Working Committee of the PDP to wade into the matter and ensure transparency and inclusivity in all party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
