The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Congress in Niger, slated for Saturday, has been postponed due to violence that stalled the exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that trouble started when former Deputy Leader in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Baba Again, was manhandled and whisked out of the venue of the congress by heavily armed security men.
NAN noticed that as early as 7 a.m., the PDP state secretariat at Western Bypass in Minna had been taken over by supporters of the two contenders despite heavy security presence.
The party supporters accused Again of sabotaging their collective interest, alleging that he aligned with the former governor and leader of the party, Dr. Babangida Aliyu-led group.
However, when the atmosphere became tensed for any congress to hold, the electoral committee, led by Malam Mohammed Imam from the party’s National Headquarters, had to be whisked away by security agents.
NAN reports that following the confusion, the electoral commission issued a statement in Minna on Saturday signed by Imam.
According to Imam, due to an uncertain security situation at the PDP state secretariat, the venue of the rescheduled state congress, slated for today, Sept. 12, the congress has been postponed.
He said that the congress was postponed after unsuccessful attempts were made to get the thousands of party supporters and other persons gathered at the precinct of the venue to disperse before the commencement of the voting process.
He said that the committee would report to the National Working Committee (NEC) which would determine the next line of action in accordance with the constitution of the party.
NAN reports that the two main contenders were, Mr. Tanko Benji, the outgoing chairman of the party seeking the second term, and Alhaji Mukhtar Ahmed.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN
