Supporters of former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa have explained their reasons for boycotting the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses in Sokoto State.
Bafarawa and his loyalists were notably absent from the state congress held last Saturday at the PDP Secretariat on Ahmadu Bello Way. However, former Governor Senator Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy Maniru Dan'iya, and former Minister of Transport Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman were among those in attendance.
In an interview with newsmen, Professor Hamza Maishanu, spokesperson for Bafarawa's faction of the PDP, said they boycotted the congress due to a loss of confidence in the state party leadership and ongoing legal disputes over the congress process.
"We did not participate in the ward, local government, and state congresses because we are contesting the processes in court. We need to wait for the court's decision," Maishanu said.
He alleged that some individuals within the party were determined to control its structure at all costs and viewed Bafarawa and his supporters as threats to their plans.
"From the outset, we lost confidence in the party's leadership. In a democratic election, there should be a level playing field for all contestants, and the sale of forms must be transparent at the party secretariat. However, they introduced new rules, such as requiring candidates for ward chairmanship to seek permission from the incumbent chairman, who would then facilitate the sale of forms. This rule was clearly designed to suppress certain members," he added.
Maishanu argued that when the tenure of party leaders expires, they should step down and a caretaker committee should be formed. However, he claimed that the current leaders were automatically reappointed as caretakers, enabling them to oversee the congresses.
"They also declared that only those who had served two terms would be replaced, while others would continue in office. This is undemocratic. All positions should be open for contest," he said.
He further alleged that some Bafarawa supporters who paid for forms were never issued them, without any explanation.
"In certain local government areas, directives were issued to bar anyone associated with Bafarawa from contesting," Maishanu claimed.
He noted that they had raised their concerns with the PDP National Headquarters, which initially asked them to resolve the issue within the state. "We returned to Sokoto for discussions, but they refused to show us the list of candidates. That's why we took the matter to court," he explained.
Echoing Maishanu's concerns, Yusuf Dingyadi, Senior Special Assistant to the PDP National Chairman, criticised the exclusion of key stakeholders from the congress.
"How can a party that is unfair to its members hope to win any election? Sokoto PDP hasn't learned from its past mistakes. You cannot marginalise certain members because of unresolved issues with their leader," Dingyadi said.
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He stressed that former Governor Bafarawa is a significant figure in Sokoto politics, adding, "Bafarawa is too important to be sidelined. Unity, cohesion, and understanding are essential for the party's success."
Responding to the allegations, the re-elected chairman of the party, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, dismissed the claims, asserting that all party members were included in the process.
"How can a party that aims to win an election sideline its members? We ensured inclusiveness throughout the congresses," Goronyo said.
He also acknowledged the court case initiated by Bafarawa's supporters but stated that there was no court injunction preventing the congress from taking place.
