By Peter Omopo
The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto State, Saidu Umar, popularly known as Ubandoma Sokoto, has resigned from the party, citing unresolved leadership disputes at the national level.
Umar announced his resignation in a letter dated March 10, 2026, addressed to the PDP chairman of Sarkin Adar Kofar Atiku Ward in Sokoto South Local Government Area.
In the letter, he stated that his decision to leave the party was due to persistent internal conflicts and unresolved legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership structure at the national level.
According to him, the lingering legal challenges and the existence of parallel leadership within the party had continued to undermine unity, stability and effective political engagement within the PDP.
His resignation comes a few days after former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also left the party, a development that has intensified political realignments in the state.
Despite his decision to resign, Umar expressed appreciation to the PDP for giving him the opportunity to contest the 2023 governorship election on its platform.
He said he remained grateful to the party for the confidence reposed in him and acknowledged the support he received from party leaders, members and supporters during the electioneering period.
Umar, however, reaffirmed his commitment to democratic values and the development of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He stated that although he was stepping aside from formal membership of the party, he remained committed to the pursuit of good governance and the continued development of the state and the country.
Copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the PDP chairman in Sokoto South Local Government Area and the state chairman of the party.
Umar was the PDP governorship candidate in Sokoto State during the 2023 general election where he contested against candidates of other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress.
His exit adds to the growing list of defections linked to the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level.
