The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opted to halt the planned ad-hoc delegate congresses across 239 wards in Kogi State due to serious allegations of misconduct. This decision was formally communicated in a letter dated July 27, 2024, signed by Senator Laah Dajuma, the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee.
In the letter addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja, the party outlined concerns regarding irregularities that took place before the congress. Specifically, the letter stated, “Following our previous notification regarding the conduct of the three ad-hoc delegates in Kogi State, we must inform you of a significant issue involving one Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Dabekeme.”
The letter further detailed that on July 27, the officers assigned to oversee the election arrived with individuals posing as returning officers from various states, including Nasarawa, FCT, Imo, and Kano. This incident undermined the credibility of the congress, thereby invalidating the entire procedure. The PDP promised to notify the INEC of the rescheduled date once the matter is resolved.
In a contrasting scenario, the PDP has reportedly proceeded with its ward congresses in Rivers State, despite facing multiple court orders aimed at stopping the process. Recently, Justice Charles Wali issued a ruling preventing the party, along with its National Chairman Iliya Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from conducting any congresses until a pending legal dispute is resolved.
The lawsuit, brought forth by PDP members from 23 Local Government Areas, contests the validity of the ongoing congresses. Furthermore, Justice Sobere Biambo had earlier issued an interim directive to suspend the congresses scheduled for July 27, following a suit by David Omereji and others against the party’s leadership.
The judge instructed various law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, to enforce this suspension. Nonetheless, activities at the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt continued, with party members seen gathering materials for the congresses and heading to their respective councils.
In a twist, a Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice Peter Lifu, issued a counter-order allowing the PDP to proceed with its congresses, instructing law enforcement to refrain from interfering. This has resulted in a confusing legal landscape for the PDP in Rivers State, with conflicting court orders—two from the state court halting the congresses and one from the federal court permitting them.
The congresses, which commenced on July 27 with ward-level meetings, are set to be followed by local government congresses on August 26 and state congresses in September.
