A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has elected Ibrahim Kassim Toro as the state chairman during its state congress held over the weekend.
The congress produced a new state executive committee through a consensus process agreed upon by party stakeholders and aspirants who took part in the exercise. The event was organised by members of the faction within the party as part of efforts to form a new leadership structure in the state.
The outgoing chairman of the Bauchi State PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the development in a statement released on Sunday. He said officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the congress, while party leaders and members from different parts of the state attended the gathering.
According to the statement, stakeholders within the faction agreed to adopt a consensus method in selecting members of the executive committee rather than conducting a contested vote. The process produced several new officials who will serve in different positions within the state party structure.
During the exercise, Toro emerged as the state chairman while Bashir Tahir Misau was chosen as the deputy chairman. Nazif Sabo Likita Jama’are was elected as the secretary, while Muktar Abdullahi Milo Udubo became the vice chairman for the North zone. Abdullahi Hassan Ningi was selected as the vice chairman for the Central zone, and Abdullahi Muhammad Barau emerged as vice chairman for the South zone.
Other members of the executive include Umar Abdulkadir Sarki as organising secretary, Godfrey Mannasseh Marti as publicity secretary, and Isa Umar Kakara Zaki as treasurer. Zulaihat D. Mallam was selected as the women leader, while Haruna Yakubu Jagaban Dass emerged as the auditor.
In addition, Hamza Abubakar Giade was chosen as the financial secretary, Abdullahi Abdulkareem Mai Kare as youth leader, and Yahaya A. Garkuwa as the legal adviser.
Mohammed expressed appreciation to the people of Bauchi State and the national leadership of the party for allowing him to serve as caretaker chairman before the emergence of the new executive. He also commended the officials of the electoral body and security agencies for attending the congress and ensuring that the event took place without disruption.
The development shows the continued division within the PDP in Bauchi State. Another faction within the party that supports the state governor, Bala Mohammed, recognises Sama’ila Adamu Burga as the state chairman.
This situation has left the party with two different leadership structures operating at the same time in the state.