The report centres on what happened at the Peoples Democratic Party convention in Ibadan, where it happened, who was involved, and why the issue has drawn attention. It happened on Saturday when the Jigawa State chapter of the PDP announced that no lawful delegate from the state took part in the convention. The party chairman, Gambo Umar Gumel, made the declaration through a post on his personal Facebook page after word spread that some people were claiming to represent the state at the gathering.
The Jigawa chairman explained that the chapter had already decided not to attend the convention. The choice was based on a Federal High Court ruling that restored Sule Lamido’s right to contest for the national chairmanship. The court also ordered that the convention be stopped, yet the event still went ahead in Ibadan. Gumel’s message came shortly after the programme began, causing more tension within the party.
His statement rose from concern that some unknown persons were parading themselves as Jigawa delegates. He said the state chapter had withdrawn completely and insisted that anyone claiming to represent Jigawa was acting on their own. He warned members of the public to disregard such claims and said the party in the state would only take part in activities that follow lawful processes.
Gumel expressed worry about the way the party is currently being run at the national level. He said the deep crisis affecting the party has made many members unhappy. He noted that the Jigawa chapter still wants unity and wants leaders to reach out to all sides so that peace can return. He stressed that the party in Jigawa will only support actions that bring reconciliation and order within the PDP.
He repeated that the state did not send any delegate to the Ibadan meeting and urged supporters to remain alert. According to him, anyone introducing themselves as a Jigawa delegate at the convention is doing so falsely.