By Peter Duru
MAKURDI—Dissatisfied with the outcome of the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ward and local government congresses, leading member of the party and former Managing Director of Benue Property and Investment Company, Mr. John Terfa Tine, has warned that the lack of internal democracy in the party would be its albatross at the forthcoming polls.

Tine accused the party executives in the state of favoritism, bias and electoral fraud stating that all the electoral processes adopted by PDP in the election of candidates for the adhoc delegates and primaries lacked democratic principles and ideals of Rule of Law and due process.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, Tine regretted that PDP has been hijacked by desperate politicians in government which contributed in no small measure to the lack of credibility and transparency at the last congresses.

The National Assembly hopeful from Buruku Federal Constituency declared his decisions to withdraw from the PDP primaries since the outcome of the exercise had already been predetermined by the leadership of the party in the state.

He said: “The process for the election of the three ad hoc delegates was hijacked by the PDP government officials. Even in places where voting took place, the names of winners were substituted.

“With what has been happening within PDP and the culture of impunity and illegality that has characterised the ongoing election of candidates for various positions, we have totally lost confidence in the process.”

Adding,” We have therefore decided to no longer participate in the ongoing illegal and undemocratic process of the PDP in Benue State”.

Tine informed that he has commenced consultations with family members, friends and political associate on his next move adding that his decision would be influenced by the action of the party to address the anomaly in the ongoing process..