The Association of Local Government Chairmen of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sokoto State Chapter, has affirmed Isa Sadiq-Achida as the authentic APC Chairman elected in the state.
The association’s chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Isa, APC Chairman Illela local government area of the state, made this known in Sokoto on Saturday, citing a resolution by the 23 Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen.
Isa said the 23 local government chapters of the APC, in its meeting, duly acclaimed and declared the party’s state leadership election on Nov. 8, 2021, at which Sadiq-Achida emerged, as very successful and authentic.
“Consequently, we believe we are the true representatives of the APC in the 23 LGAs of Sokoto, after our inauguration following a written directive by the National Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of our party.
“However, we took part in the Sokoto state APC Congress held on the Nov. 8, 2021, at the state secretariat, which elected Sadiq-Achida as the state Chairman.
“We therefore affirm that Sadiq-Achida is the authentic, elected Sokoto state APC Chairman and presently recognise Sen. Aliyu Wamakko as the leader of our great party in the state,” he said.
He further appealed to the National Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of the Party to recognise Sadiq-Achida as duly elected Sokoto APC Chairman and put necessary machinery in motion for his inauguration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had on Feb. 27, endorsed factional Chairman of APC in Sokoto, Alhaji Mainasara Sani.
Malami gave the endorsement in Sokoto during his address at the distribution of empowerment tools to constituents by Rep. Balarabe Salame (APC- Gwadabawa/Illela).
The minister’s recognition of Sani as APC State Chairman triggered widespread reactions and criticisms among APC loyalists and residents.
There are ongoing legal disputes on the legality of the last APC state congress and who to be recognised as the correct chairman in Sokoto State between Sani and Sirajo Abubakar.
Abubakar and others instituted a suit challenging the congress that produced Sani as chairman while another group, led by Sadiq-Achida, filed a joinder case and a separate suit.
Sadiq-Achida had asked the court to restrain APC from recognising Sani and others as officers and delegates of the ward, local government and state congresses of the party respectively. (NAN)