Bauchi PDP Insists 26 State Congresses Remain Valid

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From.Paul.Orude Bauchi

The Bauchi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared insisted that congresses conducted in 26 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), remain valid and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of the PDP chieftain in Bauchi State, Alhaji Samaila Burga, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the party’s Secretariat on Bauchi on the lingering leadership crisis within the party.

Burga explained that the PDP derives its legitimacy from both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act. 

According to him, the party is registered under Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, while Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees the right to freedom of association under which the PDP operates as a political party.

He further stated that Section 1(2) of the PDP Constitution 2017, as amended, provides for the supremacy of the party constitution, making its provisions binding on all members and organs of the party.

The PDP Chairman explained further that the dissolution of the Ibadan convention and the suspension of former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were carried out due to disobedience to court orders, despite an earlier ruling permitting the convention to hold.

He stated that the suspensions were effected by the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of the then acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and were later affirmed by the Supreme Court.

He maintained that under Section 9(3) of the PDP constitution, the NWC has the authority to convene meetings whenever necessary, while Section 29(4) of the constitution stipulates that two-thirds of members constitute a quorum for meetings of the National Working Committee.

“At the time the suspensions were carried out, 14 out of the 18 NWC members participated in the meeting, which satisfied the constitutional requirement for quorum,” he said.

He argued that the Supreme Court judgment effectively rendered the Ibadan convention null and void and also signaled the expiration of the tenure of the former NWC, thereby creating a vacuum in the national leadership of the party.

Citing the Supreme Court decision in the case involving Sule Lamido, Burga maintained that the apex court had consistently held that the judiciary could not interfere in the internal affairs of a political party.

“In the Lamido case, the Supreme Court made it clear that issues concerning the internal affairs of a political party remain strictly within the party,” he stated.

Burga, however, insisted that the congresses conducted across 26 states from ward to zonal levels were duly ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and monitored by INEC, making them valid and binding.

He cited Section 14 of the PDP constitution, which provides for the party structure from the ward level up to the National Convention.

According to him, the national organs of the party include the National Working Committee, National Caucus, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and the National Convention.

He explained that the National Working Committee is constitutionally responsible for the day-to-day administration of the party, while the National Chairman is empowered to convene meetings.

However, he argued that in the absence of a substantive National Chairman and a functional NWC, the party leadership naturally reverted to the Board of Trustees, which subsequently constituted a 13-member committee to oversee party affairs.

“The Bauchi State PDP fully supports the position of the Board of Trustees. Those elected during the 2024 congresses remain authentic office holders because their elections were never challenged in court,” he added.

Burga further argued that individuals currently purchasing nomination forms for those positions had no legal basis to do so, stressing that recognised party officials are already listed on the INEC portal.

He clarified that the judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court only affected the dissolved NWC and officials linked to the Ibadan convention, and not the structures established in the 26 states.

The PDP stalwart disclosed that the party had already screened 31 aspirants for the State House of Assembly, 12 aspirants for the House of Representatives, and three senatorial aspirants ahead of the forthcoming primary elections.

He added that preparations for the governorship primaries were also underway.