A fresh rift has emerged within the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party as party chieftain Barrister Hassan Isma’ila on Sunday insisted that “true stakeholders” from the state are fully participating in the party’s national convention in Abuja, contrary to claims of a boycott by the state leadership.

Speaking to journalists from Abuja, Isma’ila dismissed reports that Sokoto delegates were absent, describing such claims as “completely false and misleading.”

“Bonafide PDP members and loyalists from Sokoto State are here on ground. We are fully participating in all activities and procedures of the national convention,” he said.

His comments follow earlier statements by officials of the Sokoto PDP that the state chapter would not attend the convention, citing internal disagreements within the party’s national leadership.

However, Isma’ila alleged that many of those claiming to represent the party in Sokoto had effectively shifted allegiance, if not formally, to the African Democratic Congress, thereby forfeiting the moral authority to speak for the PDP.

“Most of the present executives have diluted into the fold of the ADC. Some are only in PDP as shadows, while their real political roots lie elsewhere,” he claimed.

He further argued that the controversy surrounding delegate participation was misplaced, noting that the amended Electoral Act places greater emphasis on party membership rather than delegate status in determining legitimacy.

“The new Electoral Act has nothing to do with delegates; it is about party membership. It is therefore shameful for those dancing on a dead rat to cry for help,” he added.

Isma’ila urged the national leadership of the PDP to disregard what he described as “noise” from Sokoto, maintaining that only genuine members of the party were present and participating in the convention.

“I enjoin the PDP leadership and loyalists nationwide to ignore the notion that non-members from Sokoto are here. We are here, fully involved,” he declared.

The development underscores deepening factional divisions within the PDP in Sokoto State, with rival groups laying claim to legitimacy and representation ahead of critical party decisions expected from the convention.

Despite the internal wrangling, Isma’ila reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s future.

“We remain loyal to the PDP and are committed to working for its progress in all future engagements,” he said.