The Local Government Congresses of the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been stalled.
Naija News reports that the congress was affected by protests initiated by dissatisfied members of the party.
These protests emerged in response to allegations of list manipulation and the misappropriation of Congress materials.
The party has been beset by confusion following the inconclusive outcomes of the ward congresses in July.
Reports are that the list provided to party stakeholders in Makurdi, released on Friday, did not match the compilation made at the ward level during the congresses.
The atmosphere at the party’s headquarters was tense, with a significant deployment of security personnel to maintain law and order.
A group of individuals suspected of being political agitators reportedly gathered at the headquarters, engaging in chants of solidarity.
Distraught party stakeholders and members have maintained a vigil at the headquarters, eagerly awaiting the arrival of electoral officials from the national secretariat in Abuja.
The organization of the recent ward-level congresses has led to considerable confusion and controversy, particularly regarding the suspensions and counter-suspensions of members accused of anti-party activities.
After an extended wait by members of the party’s secretariat in Makurdi, chaos ensued upon the arrival of the electoral officials from Abuja.
A dispute erupted as the officials were prevented from distributing materials necessary for the local government congresses.
Party members have demanded the list of candidates for the local government congresses and the results from the last ward congresses, which the officials were unable to provide.
The electoral officers from Abuja were forced to leave the party’s headquarters by protesting members.
The acting chairman of the party, AVM Napoleon Bali, along with members of his committee, escaped the headquarters in a convoy headed towards an undisclosed location.