By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA—The crisis rocking Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deteriorated as some members of the party yesterday stormed Abuja, demanding the immediate dissolution of the party’s state executive council to pave way for conduct of fresh congresses.

The aggrieved members warned that failure to dissolve the state EXCO would pose a threat to the peace and stability of the state in the next campaigns, as well as unleash a nationwide process that may compromise the nation’s democracy.

Leading concerned members and stakeholders of the PDP, Adamawa State chapter to a briefing in Abuja, the faction’s spokesperson, Dr. Umar Ardo, said they were the authentic grassroots leaders of the people who have toiled ceaselessly to position the party as agent of change and transformation since its establishment.

Dr. Ardo regretted, however, that “yet in our hearts is the pain of betrayal of the true values and ideals that characterize the birth of the party, in respect for constitutionalism, rule of law, guidelines and regulation, internal democracy, discipline and moral authority.

He said: “In finding our collective voices today, we have only one mission-to draw the attention of the Nigerian public to years of violation of the institution of the party and the regime of lawlessness, injustices, impunities, illegalities and irregularities that govern the party affairs in Adamawa State.

“We are now in the season of elections. The first step in this direction is the holding of party primaries to nominate party flagbearers at the national and state levels. Such nominated candidates will then fly the flag of the party at the general elections.

“The state executive committee is crucial in this process, hence INEC’s declared that it will not accept the results of primary elections from the states where no acceptable congresses have been held.”

Accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of conniving with the state chapter to oppress other members of the party, Dr. Ardo recalled that, “Adamawa State is one of such state, though now removed from INEC’s list under questionable circumstances.

“Our aspirants run the risk of not participating in the general elections if the situation remains as it is. We cannot afford to let this happen, having toiled and laboured hard to build the party in the state.

“Our demand had been simple; the dissolution of the Kugama-led EXCO and the conduct of fresh congresses before the commencement of primary elections in accordance with the party constitution and the law,” he said.