The Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has disowned individuals claiming to be its delegates at the party’s convention in Ibadan, declaring that no legitimate delegate from Jigawa took part in the exercise.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page late Saturday, the state chairman, Ali Gumel, said the chapter deliberately boycotted the Ibadan gathering to comply with a Federal High Court ruling that reinstated the rights of former governor Sule Lamido to contest the national chairmanship of the party.
PUNCH Online gathered that Gumel’s clarification came just hours after the convention commenced, despite a fresh court order stopping the event. The ruling reaffirmed Lamido’s eligibility to participate in all party leadership activities.
Gumel condemned those parading themselves as Jigawa delegates, describing them as impostors attempting to mislead the public.
“These impostors do not represent us. Jigawa PDP remains committed to lawful processes and genuine reconciliation that strengthen, not divide, our great party,” he said.
He urged party members and Nigerians to disregard any claims of Jigawa’s participation, insisting the state chapter stood firmly behind due process.
“We are not participating in the convention,” he declared. “Our decision reflects our loyalty to the court judgment and our dedication to restoring unity within the party.”
Expressing concern over the worsening national crisis within the PDP, Gumel said the state chapter is only interested in processes that promote peace and internal reconciliation.
“We call on the party’s leaders to reach out to every aggrieved stakeholder and work toward resolving this crisis,” he added.
Reiterating the warning to the public, Gumel stated:
“Any person claiming to be a delegate from Jigawa State at the ongoing convention is a fraudster.”
