By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA—The decision of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to cancel the Ward Congresses held in Adamawa State on December 28, 2010, and its decision calling for another congress today is threatening to set the state on fire, with accusing fingers being pointed at Governor Murtala Nyako as the brain behind the cancellation, having lost out.

Consequently, General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Senator Jubril Aminu, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, Senator Grace Bent and Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, General Haladu Hannaniya, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, Alhaji Awwal Tukur, among other stakeholders in the state, yesterday called on PDP national leadership to rescind the decisioon for a fresh congress, saying initial congress followed due process.

Gen. Marwa wondered why “after the Congress Committee appointed by the PDP headquarters in Abuja had done a credible and transparent job, submitted its report to the National PDP secretariat, Admiral Nyako, accompanied by some people should go to Wadata Plaza with his own set of results on a photocopied 2007 election result sheet to influence cancellation of the authentic report.

“The truth of the matter is that the Marwa Campaign Organisation, MACO, worked very hard in presenting formidable candidates at the three ad-hoc delegates’ elections. We actually held mock ward congresses of our own to elect those who will be presented for the ad-hoc delegates.

“It is no surprise that the MACO delegates won the 28th December elections because we presented the most electable materials, and coupled with our campaign promises.”

Disclosing that a petition against the cancellation had been submitted to the office of National Chairman of PDP, General Marwa said “the holding of any ward congresses again may result in widespread riots and civil disturbances throughout Adamawa State because the people feel the decision to cancel is undemocratic.

“Our prayers are that the authentic result of the 28th December, 2010 ward congress already in possession of the National Working Committee should be retained and certificates of victory conveyed to all delegates who won in their wards.

“Immediately cool down tempers in Adamawa State to prevent breakdown of law and order by canceling any ward elections scheduled for tomorrow 3rd January 2011 in Adamawa State.

“Rescind the cancellation of the ward elections because the election is valid and followed correct and due processes and nothing was found wanting against it. Not a single reason can be given in support of the cancellation.

“In this regard, I must mention that Senator Jibrin Aminu, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, Minister of State, Senator Grace Bent, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, Amb Wilberforce Juta (former governor of Adamawa State, and General Haladu Hannaniya, all stakeholders and Alhaji Awwal Tukur, fellow gubernatorial aspirants, all share the common position that the results of the 28th ward congresses should be upheld and the new ward congresses for Monday 3rd, January 2011 should not hold.

“We do not accept the hurried cancellation of the ward congresses and its repeat fixed for today 3rd January 2011. Please give justice to the teaming PDP members in Adamawa State who turned up for the 28th December ward congresses by upholding that election.

“We must not encourage a habit where if an election does not favour a particular individual, then we must cancel it and repeat. That is bad for our democracy.”

Recall that PDP leadership on Saturday, January 1, 2011, cancelled the ward congresses held in Adamawa State on December 28, 2010, with immediate effect.

A statement by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Prince Uche Secondus said, “a fresh exercise shall be held in all wards in Adamawa State on Monday, January 3, 2011.

It said “the State Assembly primaries in Adamawa State have also been shifted to Tuesday, January 4, 2011.’’