Stakeholders Trade Blames as Party Cancels PDP Congresses in Plateau

By Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
 

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau have continued to trade blames following the cancellation of the party congresses held in three local government areas of Jos South, Kanke and Pankshin of Plateau State.

 The congresses which held on Thursday had to be cancelled in these local governments following reports of alleged irregularities and manipulations that resulted in protests and fracas.

 An eye witness and a delegate to the congress said troubles started when the exercise which was earlier scheduled to hold at the Bukuru stadium was suddenly relocated to a Rayfield venue without any explanation.

 He added that party members who suspected a sinister motive for the change of venue also noticed the disappearance of some delegates names in some wards including;  Zawan B, Giring, Kuru and other wards where candidates of the incumbent member, representing Jos/Jos East federal constituency, Mr. Edward Pwajok were said to have emerged victorious against the candidates of the former Governor of the state and Senator representing Plateau North, Mr. Jonah Jang during the previous ward congresses.

 He alleged that the protests that trailed the substitution of the names forced the party hierarchy to postpone the LGA congress till further notice.

Confirming this, a state Chairmanship candidate of the party, Hon Bitrus Kaze lamented that things had fallen apart.

He said, “Some people brought new names in Jos South and other local government areas. Things have fallen apart, but we remain committed to the course and trust that it’s God who crowns kings.”

Meanwhile, another delegate that is loyal to Jang alleged that Pwajok had attempted to connive with a member of the National Working Committee to alter the result of the ward congress that largely went the way of Jang but was resisted. So he returned to assert force on the local government delegate congresses with thugs resulting in fracas.

 Also confirming the cancellation, PDP chairman in Jos South Local Government Area Hon. Pam Thomas, and the chairman of the electoral Panel Mr. Musa Auta Daudu said the party had no option than to suspend the congress in the  affected LGAs  to allow all aggrieved members  settle the identified grey areas.

But Pwajok vehemently condemned what he called fresh attempt by some individuals to destroy the party through selfish ambitions and manipulations.

Speaking through his aide, Ayuba Pam, the Lawmaker insisted that the party should do everything possible not to allow any individual or group to tamper with the verdict of the people in terms of choice of delegates from the ward, local, state and national convention of the party.

He said that was the only way the party could rebuild itself and earn the confidence of the people ahead of the 2019 general elections.