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Tension has escalated within the Katsina State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as stakeholders voice outrage over the unavailability of forms for the upcoming congress elections.
A faction representing the party’s major stakeholders has accused the organizing secretary and administrative staff of failing to distribute the forms, despite having just five days left to the scheduled end of sales.
A visit to the party’s headquarters at noon on Thursday revealed a deserted scene, with both the organizing secretary’s and administrative secretary’s offices locked.
Addressing reporters at the PDP headquarters, Salisu Uli, a prominent PDP figure and member of the party’s steering committee, expressed dismay. He stated that reliable sources had confirmed the forms’ arrival in Katsina from Abuja but questioned why they had not been made available to members.
Accompanied by other party stakeholders to the Katsina PDP party’s headquarters, Uli emphasized:
“We are here on behalf of Katsina PDP’s major stakeholders. Our task was to purchase forms for the ward, LG, and State congresses scheduled for the PDP 2024 elections, starting July 22, 2024.
“Form sales began on June 3 and were originally set to end on June 17, with an extension to June 24 due to Sallah festivities. With only five days left, it is alarming that the forms are still unavailable.”
Also, the caretaker committee chairman and other members are notably absent at the party’s headquarters. The only member present said he is yet to receive any invitation to that regards.
“The tradition is that during an exercise, especially on a working day like today, members of the caretaker committee should be in office to carry out their duties. However, only one of them was present,” Uli lamented.
Uli said despite being reliably informed that the forms had already arrived in Katsina from Abuja, the administrative secretary claimed he was not aware of the ongoing form sales exercise when he was reached on phone.
“It appears there is a serious lack of preparation within Katsina PDP. If proper arrangements had been made, form sales would have concluded by now. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and will decide our next steps accordingly,” Uli warned
He emphasized the importance of accountability and adherence to party protocols during crucial electoral processes.
Speaking further, Uli said, “We represent the major stakeholders, including the party’s 2023 deputy governorship aspirant, Hon. Ahmed Aminu Yar’adua; the senatorial candidates for Daura Zone 2023, Ahmad Babba-Kaita, and Katsina Zone 2023, Aminu Surajo; current member serving Mashi/Dutsi, Salisu Majigiri; former Katsina SGS and 2023 Director General, Atiku/Lado Campaign, Mustapha Inuwa; former PDP national secretary Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri; PDP BOT member Mustapha Musa Yar’adua, and Hon. Ibrahim Abdul Lawal, the only member of the state house of assembly representing Kankara LGA, among others.”
According to him, these personalities collectively embody the core of PDP in Katsina, and any insinuation of factionalism within their ranks is baseless and unfounded.
Regarding former Senator Yakubu Lado, the party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate who has not yet aligned with the major stakeholders, Uli affirmed that the party remains open to his participation whenever he decides to join.
