Following the cancellation of party congresses held in three local government areas of Jos South, Kanke and Pankshin of Plateau State, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in state have continued to trade blames.
The congresses which held in these local governments on Thursday had to be cancelled following reports of alleged irregularities and manipulations that resulted in protests and fracas.
According to an eyewitness and a delegate to the congress, 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, said to be strongholds of the current House member representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives.
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 aspirant of the party, Hon Bitrus Kaze lamented that things had fallen apart.
Kaze 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, speaking to another delegate, who took part in the exercise, he alleged that people loyal to Hon. Edward Pwajok, member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, 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 allegedly assert force on the local government delegate congresses with thugs resulting in fracas.
Also confirming the cancellation, the 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.
However, Pwajok vehemently condemned what he called fresh attempt by some individuals to destroy the party through selfish ambitions and manipulations.
Speaking through his aide, Mr. Ayuba Pam, the lawmaker insisted that the party must 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.
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