Court Halts PDP’s Planned Congresses in Benue Amid Internal Party Turmoil

Gboko High Court in Benue State has issued an Interim Injunction against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagun, temporarily stopping them from conducting Local Government and State congresses in the state. This decision also affects the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature, and the Benue State PDP Chairman, Sir John Ngbede.

The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice JM Ayua, puts a hold on the scheduled congresses until the hearing of a motion on notice set for August 16, 2024.

This legal intervention comes as the PDP faces internal strife, marked by the suspension of key party figures, including Senator Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives Speaker Terngu Tsegba, for what the party describes as “gross insubordination.” The suspended members, along with several Local Government party chairmen, have been accused of actions detrimental to the party’s interests, such as the diversion of campaign funds and fostering factions within the party.

The internal discord within the PDP has led to this judicial setback, as Senator Emmanuel Orker Jev and others sought the court’s protection against what they perceived as improper conduct of the party congresses. The court’s injunction specifically targets the Local Government congresses scheduled for August 10, 2024, in six Benue State councils, namely Gboko, Buruku, Guma, Kwande, Ushongo, and Konshisha.

The court, however, clarified that the State Congress election slated for August 31, 2024, is not affected by this order, as the motion on notice is expected to be heard before that date. The unfolding events suggest a tense period ahead for the PDP in Benue State, as the party grapples with internal challenges while under judicial scrutiny.