Court Bars Benue PDP from Holding Ward Congress

A high court in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, has issued an injunction preventing the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its ward congress in six local government areas. The court’s decision bars the party from proceeding with the local government congress scheduled for August 10, 2024, in Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Kwande, Ushongo, and Konshisha.

This action comes in response to a complaint filed by Senator Emmanuel Orker Jev and other plaintiffs, following disruptions during the PDP ward congress held on July 27, 2024. The court will delay the congress in these areas until the resolution of issues raised in a motion on notice, which is set for a hearing on August 16, 2024.

Despite the court’s ruling, the state congress scheduled for August 31, 2024, remains unaffected. The July ward congress faced controversy after reports of electoral materials being removed, which has led to further factionalism within the PDP and subsequent suspensions and counter-suspensions of party leaders.