The State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Niger, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed.
The postponement was as a result of violence which erupted at the Party’s state secretariat, venue of the congress
Thugs suspected to be loyal to two top state chairmanship contenders reportedly engaged in a free-for-all leading to the cancellation of the congress.
The Next Edition gathered that trouble began when a former Deputy Leader in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Baba Agaie, was manhandled and whisked out of the venue of the congress by heavily armed security men.
It was also gathered that as early as 7a.m, the PDP state secretariat at Western Bypass in Minna, had been taken over by supporters of the two contenders despite heavy security presence.
It was gathered that Agaie was beaten by some party faithful suspected to be from his own Agaie Local Government Area.
The party supporters accused Agaie 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 party’s National Headquarters, had to be whisked away by security agents.
Imam later issued a statement in Minna announcing the postponement of the congress.
According to Imam, due to uncertain security situation at the PDP state secretariat, venue of the rescheduled state congress, slated for today, Sept. 12, the congress has been postponed.
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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.
The two main contenders were, Mr. Tanko Benji, outgoing chairman of the party seeking second term, and Alhaji Mukhtar Ahmed.
