Though I could choose to align myself with one of the so-called repackaged factions in the PRP, I have refused to do so because, to me, both groups are essentially the same.
I was in Abuja when the late Prof. Sule Bello and his associates gathered in a hotel to stage what they called a vote of no confidence against the leadership of Malam Falula Bello. I refused to append my signature to the communiqué seeking his removal because I did not believe in the legitimacy of that exercise. I clearly told Prof. Sule Bello in his hotel room that the effort was fruitless and destined to fail. At the time, they dismissed my concerns, but events later proved me right.
It is important to note that I had earlier confronted Malam Falula Bello and the late Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, both privately and publicly, long before Prof. Sule Bello joined the PRP. My efforts were ignored by Balarabe Musa, who instead brought in Prof. Sule Bello, a move I openly challenged. I warned Prof. Sule Bello that he would fail, and that failure eventually occurred and was inherited by his associate, A. Y. Daudu.
Malam Falula Bello, Prof. Sule Bello, and A. Y. Daudu all met me within the PRP. However, Malam Falula Bello was imposed on the party by Balarabe Musa, while Prof. Sule Bello was later recruited by the same Musa to remove him—an action that clearly violated the party’s constitution in 2018 in Kaduna State.
After the passing of Prof. Sule Bello, his associate A. Y. Daudu continued the factional struggle but eventually withdrew following a court judgment in favor of Malam Falula Bello. This outcome demonstrated that their efforts lacked seriousness and coherence. I had already advised Prof. Sule Bello that pursuing a legal battle based on the influence of Balarabe Musa was misguided and deceptive.
It is also worth noting that neither Prof. Sule Bello nor A. Y. Daudu were members of the PRP when Malam Falula Bello was installed. Yet they were later tasked with removing him. This raises a fundamental question: who is truly responsible for this ongoing political crisis and factional disorder within the PRP?
In my view, Balarabe Musa failed in his attempt to remove Malam Falula Bello because he lacked sincerity. Similarly, Prof. Sule Bello failed because he did not fully understand the internal political dynamics of the PRP. Unlike them, I had direct experience confronting the leadership in question.
I firmly believe that Malam Falula Bello and his allies avoid engaging with me because they know I can effectively challenge them within the party.
Furthermore, Balarabe Musa’s actions reflected selfishness, and in time, this will be openly acknowledged. Many of us feel betrayed by the direction the PRP has taken under his influence.
This leads to critical questions: why did Balarabe Musa recruit Prof. Sule Bello to fight Malam Falula Bello instead of empowering those of us already engaged in that struggle? Why were committed comrades overlooked while control of the party was effectively handed over to opportunistic elements?
Before the emergence of Malam Falula Bello, the PRP had many committed comrades who were sidelined. Instead of strengthening these individuals, the party was handed over to right-wing interests.
To me, both factional groups—those aligned with Malam Falula Bello and those linked to Prof. Sule Bello—lack credibility and should be challenged by genuine PRP members across Nigeria.
The only distinction between the two is that one emerged through manipulation, while the other arose through strategic formation. Nonetheless, neither represents the true ideals of the PRP.
Therefore, the general public should treat any statements from these factions with caution.
Finally, I consider it beneath my level to engage in any debate about the PRP with Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, let alone his associates.
Comrade Musa Ali Maishanu
