A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a new state executive committee ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new executives emerged during a congress in Sokoto supervised by officials from the PDP National Secretariat and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Leader of the delegation, Abubakar Bawa-Kalgo, described the exercise as transparent and conducted in line with the party’s constitution.

He also dissolved the state caretaker committee before inaugurating the newly elected officials and urged them to remain accountable and committed to their responsibilities.

The new executive committee is headed by Hayatu Tafida as State Chairman, with Ahmad S. Fawa as Secretary, Bello Bashir as Treasurer, Abdulkadir Gidadawa as Youth Leader, Murtala Muhammad as Auditor, Hadiza Abubakar as Women Leader and Buhari Sidi-Attahiru as Publicity Secretary.

Speaking at the event, PDP governorship candidate Abubakar Abdullahi congratulated the new officials and urged them to work for the growth of the party in the state.

Abdullahi also challenged members of the faction led by Tanimu Turaki to stop presenting themselves as the legitimate leadership of the party, arguing that the convention which produced them had been nullified by the Supreme Court.

“How can a group invited to convene a national convention in a state previously governed by one of its members continue to claim the leadership of our party after the Supreme Court nullified the convention?” he queried.

Also speaking, PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature called for unity among members to strengthen the party’s chances in Sokoto State but insisted that the rival faction lacked legal recognition.

“I call on those claiming to be the leaders of PDP in Sokoto to stop doing so. You should shut that office to avoid impersonating the legitimate party leadership,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Chairman, Hayatu Tafida, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work diligently to advance the party’s interests in the state.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Accord Party in Osun State have exchanged accusations over recent disturbances in Owode-Ede community, with both parties calling on security agencies to investigate the incidents and ensure public safety in the community.

The Osun APC urged the police to declare Owode-Ede, located in Ede North Local Government Area, a political flashpoint, alleging that members and supporters of the party had been subjected to attacks and intimidation by political thugs allegedly affiliated with the Accord Party.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed that violent activities by alleged Accord supporters had resulted in assaults on residents and damage to vehicles belonging to party members.

The party argued that the police should act swiftly to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

According to the APC, “Owode-Ede has become a meeting point for political hoodlums who allegedly harass opposition supporters travelling through the area. Branded caps and vehicles associated with the APC had been forcefully removed or damaged by suspected political thugs operating around the Owode-Ede Market junction.

“It would be a dereliction of duty for the police and other statutory security services to leave innocent members of the public at the mercy of these political hoodlums who operate unhindered daily. Authorities should discourage the needless convergence of political thugs in the community.”

The APC also linked the recent crisis to the blockade of its members and supporters at the Owode-Ede Market junction, arguing that freedom of movement is a constitutional right that should be protected by security agencies.

However, Accord rejected the allegations, accusing the Osun APC of politicising security issues and attempting to blame others before investigations had been concluded.

In a statement signed by its Osun State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, Accord said the APC’s allegations were “replete with conjectures, assumptions and politically motivated accusations against Governor Ademola Adeleke and residents of Ede”.

“While every responsible citizen condemns violence in all its forms, it is alarming that the APC has once again chosen the path of political propaganda rather than allowing security agencies to professionally establish the facts surrounding recent events,” it added.

The Accord chairman alleged that video clips circulating publicly showed vehicles branded in AMBO colours with persons allegedly linked to APC, adding that there were credible claims connecting some actors involved in the disturbances to political elements within the opposition party.

“We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incidents, identify all those involved regardless of political affiliation and ensure justice is served without fear or favour.

“We also urge security agencies to investigate alleged hideouts of political thugs associated with the APC,” it demanded.

The recent disagreement between the political parties follows allegations by the Accord that political thugs in APC branded vehicles opened fire on residents and their members in Owode-Ede, Aregbe, Olaiya and other parts of Osun State.

The APC denied involvement and called on the Osun State Police Command to arrest alleged Accord thugs.

As the August 15 governorship election in the state draws near, concerned stakeholders have insisted that politicians and political parties maintain and prioritise peace and security in Owode-Ede.

They also urged politicians to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric while allowing law enforcement agencies to determine responsibility for the disturbances.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has disclosed that its presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, never threatened to leave the party.

NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, disclosed that such claims were speculations aimed at demarketing the party.

In an interview with Arise News on Saturday night, Director blamed the ruling party and some opposition members for such speculations.

He said: “At no time did our leader, Kwankwaso threatened to leave the party, those were just conjectures and media speculations trying to demarket the party and we know where they are coming from.

“Apart from media speculation and those who do not want us to succeed, there were instances in a particular constituency in Delta State where an incumbent allegedly supported five or six aspirants to run against Collins Edema.”

It was widely reported that the former Kano State governor threatened to dump the NDC if his candidates in Kano State were replaced.

NDC had replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction in Kano State over an alleged breach of a power-sharing agreement.

According to a document signed by Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the changes were made to reflect the earlier agreement on the distribution of party positions and elective tickets between the existing NDC structure and the Kwankwasiyya bloc.