People Democratic Party (PDP) members loyal to former Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, have sued the party and its leadership over the recent congresses.
Bafarawa and his supporters did not participate in the ward, local government and state congresses conducted in the state as they awaited the outcome of the case.
Briefing newsmen on their decision on Monday, leader of the group, Professor Hamza Maishanu, said they were contesting against the processes of the congresses which he described as undemocratic.
“Right from day one, we lost confidence on the leadership of the party. In any Democratic election there should be a fair level playing ground for all the contestants and the sales of forms must be made public, at the party’s Secretariat.
“But they came up with some things, for instance, before you contest for a position of Ward’s chairman, you must go back to the ward, tell the incumbent chairman whom you are contesting against, and he would be the one to facilitate the sale of the form to you. We felt this rule is brought to suppress other members.
“Ideally, when the tenure of leadership expired, what should be done is for them to step down and caretaker committee be constituted to continue piloting the affairs of the party. But the current leaders were given automatic ticket to continue as caretakers and they would be the ones to conduct ward congress which is not fair.
“They also said that, only those who served two tenure that would be replaced. All others would continue which is not democratic. All positions must be opened for contest,” he alleged.
Professor Maishanu further alleged that some of them who paid for the forms were not given the forms up to the time of the congress and no reason was given to them.
However, the chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, has dismissed all the allegations, saying the party had given all the contestants equal opportunities.
“How can a party that wants to win election sideline any of its member. We ensured inclusiveness during the congresses.
“One thing you need to know is, there are elected and statutory delegates. So anyone outside these could not participate in the congresses.”