ARDO KOLA YOUTHS PROTEST IMPOSITION OF PDP CANDIDATE, DEMAND RETURN OF INCUMBENT CHAIRMAN
By Mohammed Tikka
In a bold move ahead of the November local government elections, youths under the banner of “PDP Youths for Justice” in Ardo Kola Local Government Area have staged a peaceful protest, rejecting what they described as the imposition of an unpopular candidate by the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.
The protesters, who marched through streets in the local government headquarters, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, expressing their dissatisfaction with the selection of Umar Bello Badawaire as the PDP chairmanship candidate.
They claimed the decision did not reflect the will of the people and was taken without consultation with party members at the grassroots.
Speaking to journalists during the rally, the spokesperson for the group stated that the imposition of Umar Bello Badawaire was a betrayal of the PDP’s core democratic values.
According to him, Badawaire is not only an unpopular figure in Ardo Kola but also allegedly a card-carrying member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns about his loyalty to the party.
“We have never seen this kind of injustice in the PDP,” the spokesperson said. “How can the party impose someone who has never supported PDP and is known to work against the party’s success? This is not just a bad decision; it is a dangerous one. PDP risks losing Ardo Kola for the first time since 1999 if this is allowed to stand.”
The group appealed directly to the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, whom they described as a people-friendly and visionary leader.
They urged him to intervene and reverse the decision of the party leadership. According to the youths, only Governor Kefas has the moral and political authority to ensure that justice and fairness are upheld in the selection process.
They called for the return of the incumbent chairman, Alhaji Ismaila Zakari, popularly known as “Dangote,” as the party’s candidate. The group argued that Dangote has a proven track record, enjoys wide popularity across all wards in Ardo Kola, and has helped strengthen PDP’s support base, especially among the youth.
One of the speakers, Safiyanu Abdulqadir, who identified as Hausa/Fulani, raised concerns over tribal representation.
He noted that while the local government PDP chairman and his vice are both Hausa/Fulani, the representative in the State House of Assembly is Mumuye, and the commissioner representing Ardo Kola in the state executive is from the Kona tribe.
According to him, the Wurkum tribe, to which Dangote belongs, remains the only major tribe without significant political representation.
“We are not asking for too much,” Abdulqadir said. “We are only saying that every tribe deserves a fair share. Dangote is the only strong voice from the Wurkum tribe, and giving him the chairmanship ticket is the only way to ensure inclusiveness and equity in Ardo Kola.”
Also speaking, Azu Gai from the Kona ethnic group and a resident of Jauro Yinu ward, emphasized the critical role of the youth in sustaining the PDP in the area.
He claimed that many young people who had previously left the party were mobilized to return because of the efforts and goodwill of Dangote.
“If not for Dangote, many of us would still be working for other parties,” Azu said. “He brought hope, he brought development, and he gave the youth a sense of belonging. The PDP is making a huge mistake if they think they can ignore the people and force a candidate on us.”
Abbas Aliyu, a Fulani youth leader, also described the decision to field Badawaire as “an injustice and a betrayal.” He emphasized that among all the wards in Ardo Kola, Mayo Renewo ward—Dangote’s ward—consistently delivers some of the highest votes for the PDP during elections, making him the most logical and deserving choice.
Aliyu went further to question the rationale behind replacing a performing chairman with someone he described as “a stranger to the PDP family.”
He called on the party to reconsider its decision before it’s too late, warning that the consequences could be dire for PDP’s dominance in the local government.
Despite their grievances, the youths expressed gratitude to Governor Kefas for his achievements in peacebuilding and development across the state.
They acknowledged his commitment to justice and fairness and expressed confidence in his ability to correct the alleged wrongdoing.
They also extended appreciation to the PDP State Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, for his dedication to party affairs and for keeping the party united through challenging times.
However, they urged him to stand with the grassroots and ensure that popular choices are respected.
At the end of the protest, the youths issued a unified call for justice, equity, and fair representation across all ethnic groups in Ardo Kola.
They maintained that only a popular and widely accepted candidate like Dangote could secure victory for PDP in the coming polls.
The protest signals a growing tension within the local chapter of the PDP as the election draws closer, and observers say how the party responds may determine its political future in Ardo Kola and beyond.
