THE ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in many states were marred by violence, poor turnout and confusion.
(http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/thumbnail.php?file=PDP_Ward_Congress_210576871.jpg&size=article_medium)
A victim displaying his wounds at the PDP ward congress in Bauchi
In Delta State, the congress was marred by controversy following protests by members in Ika South Local Government Area.
The protesters, led by the Deputy Chairman of the party in the council, Mr. Ferdinand Buzugbe, stormed the PDP secretariat.
They denounced lack of transparency in the process of electing delegates, saying there was no voting in all the wards in the local government.
He said congresses did not hold in their areas as persons who intended to contest as delegates were not given nomination forms.
Buzugbe said: "Shockingly, the chairman informed us that there were no forms at all in his possession. To our greatest surprise today we were informed that the congress will not hold. Any list of delegates submitted from Ika South should be rejected in its entirety as it does not represent the wishes of the people."
Poor turnout of voters was recorded at the 212 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) approved wards.
Violence was also recorded in the state. A young man was macheted at the Bakari Dukku Primary School in Bauchi, one of the venues of the congress.
The state secretary of the party, Sama'ila Burga, said: " The party has provided every legitimate member a level playing ground to contest for election and the delegates will be part of the party executive that will elect a gubernatorial aspirant on the party's ticket. Because it is ad hoc, delegates will elect the party's flag bearer."
Most of the ward headquarters members of the party did not come out early as expected and the lateness caused a delay of the exercise monitored by INEC. A member said: "Members of the party loyal to our faction were not allowed to purchase nomination forms and so could not stand for election in most of the wards across the state. Even though we have come to be part of the exercise by voting for candidates of our choice, the exercise is not being conducted as it should be."
Burga denied this, saying: "Nobody denied anybody the purchase of the forms, sold at the sum of N2000. Some of them did not come to us, but went to the national secretariat in Abuja to buy their forms. So, how can somebody claim we denied him or her forms.
In Cross River, there were allegations that nominations forms were hoarded.
But the state Publicity Secretary, Mr Abu Eyo denied the allegations. He said: "All aspirants are given level playing ground in the ward delegates' congresses and primaries. The PDP in Cross River has gone beyond that level. Congresses and primaries are test cases to demonstrate its sincerity towards democratising the party at this critical stage of the nation's development.We are at the most crucial period where all eyes are on PDP; everybody is watching us."
Checks by The Nation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital revealed that the ward congresses were peaceful.
The state's Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Isiaka Danmairomo expressed satisfaction with the turnout of members .
Describing the exercise as a success and hitch-free in all parts of the state, Danmairomo said he was impressed by the orderly conduct of members.
The party's spokesperson urged PDP supporters to eschew rancour and acrimony in subsequent elections as the state "is known as state of harmony."
He said PDP remains one united family, expressing optimism that the party would continue to win future elections in the state.
The National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, who dispelled rumours of his resignation, praised party members for conducting themselves maturely in all the i93 wards. He expressed delight over the large turnout of party members.
Violence, poor turnout mar PDP ward congresses in Delta, Bauchi, others (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/23119.html)