Politics
Ayu’s Resignation: SW PDP Youth Leaders Sing Discordant Tunes
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The turbulent underbelly of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to manifest in different shades of disagreements.
The latest in the banner of rancour within the PDP was the youth leaders in four states of the south west, going public on Saturday that the zonal youth leader, south west, Seyi Bamidele, does not have their backing on his call for the resignation of the national chairman, Sen Iyorchia Ayu.
The party’s state youth leaders in Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos States bickered that Bamidele didn’t obtain their consent before seeking to stand on their shoulders to call for Sen Ayu’s resignation.
Recall that on Friday, Bamidele had declared Sen Ayu as unfit to continue in office as the party’s national chairman.
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He had in a statement queued behind the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and others in urging Sen Ayu to vacate his position as PDP’s national chairman.
However, four out of the six states in the zone, issued a joint statement denouncing the position of the zonal youth leader.
The state youth leaders who signed the statement, expressing confidence in Sen Ayu, and National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, include, Folorunso Ekundayo (Ondo); Oyejide Olasunkumi (Ogun); Amerijoye Temitope (Ekiti ); Agboola Abdulfatai (Lagos).
Relevant parts of the statement read, “The state youth leaders in Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos States hereby state unequivocally that we were not consulted, informed or aware of the release made on Friday, September 23, 2022 by Mr Seyi Bamidele, the South West Zonal Youth Leader of the party concerning the state of the party.
“We want to state categorically that the entire nation is waiting for the PDP and we must do all we can not to scramble the hope of the nation. In light of this, we want to implore our leaders to embrace peace and find a common ground for meaningful engagements in the interest of the nation and the suffering Nigerian people.
“We strongly opined that we must go into next year’s elections as a formidable and virile opposition party that is capable to control the machinery of government.
“We want to say that the State PDP Youth Leaders in the South West region are fully behind the candidature of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We also pass a vote of confidence on Dr Iyorchia Ayu-led NWC of the party.
“Finally, the youth wing of our party in the South-West zone has resolved to try our best possible to ensure victory, mobilising the critical sectors for the party at all levels in the 2023 elections.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
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The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
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