By Baba Martins (Abuja), Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi), Tijani Labaran (Lokoja), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), & Kelvin Meluwa (Asaba)
The National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Bature, has alleged that those opposing certain members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are strategically positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.
Bature's comments came in response to accusations from Senator Dino Melaye, who has alleged that the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and Bature himself are responsible for the party's disarray.
According to Bature, Melaye's criticism stems from his dissatisfaction with the recent party congress in Kogi State and his disapproval of the Kogi governorship candidate.
Addressing accusations of commercialising the party, Bature refuted claims that Melaye contributed financially when he received the ticket.
"There was a peaceful state congress yesterday, and there were no issues. The party is functioning well. What we are witnessing are disputes from individuals positioning themselves for the 2027 elections," Bature added.
Meanwhile, the party's state congress at the weekend produced new leadership in several of the states.
In Bauchi, Sama'ila Burga was elected as chairman, Alhaji Falalu Attah as deputy chairman, Bakoji Aliyu Bobo as secretary, and Adamu Babayo Gabarin as publicity secretary, among others.
In Kogi, Enemona Anyebe emerged as the state new chairman of the party after securing 1,632 votes out of the 2,898 accredited delegates from across the 21 local government areas in the state.
Daily Trust gathered that some party stakeholders, like the two former governors of the state, Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Wada, who ruled the state on the platform of the party, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the central district on the party platform, and others, were absent.
In Bayelsa, Solomon Agwana was re-elected during the state congress attended by the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
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Speaking at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa during the state congress at the weekend, Diri assured that the crisis in the national leadership of the party will soon be resolved.
In Delta State, Chief Solomon Arenyeka was elected as the new state chairman during the congress, where the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, urged the newly elected state executive committee to focus on maintaining unity and delivering effective governance, especially as the party gears up for the 2027 elections.
