Thugs, police clash at PDP congress in Lagos

There was violence across the state during the rescheduled ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which held on Monday.

Trouble started when some party members and ward officials who had been at the secretariat as early as 9:00am became restless when they were yet to receive materials as at 2:00pm.

This led to the late distribution of materials and delay in the commencement of the exercise in many parts of the state.

A group of young men overwhelmed the security at the entrance and stormed into the secretariat, causing commotion.

The police had to resort to the use of tear gas to bring the situation under control.

The materials for the congresses were finally distributed to party leaders at the wards (ward chairmen and secretaries) to go and conduct the congress.

The distribution of materials ended at about 4.00p.m. when the last ward received materials and left.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the distribution of materials, Adamu Waziri, chairman of the reconstituted three-man panel for Lagos state ward congresses, said the panel would ensure that the errors that led to the cancellation of the initial ward congress were not repeated.

“We may have kicked off late, but no election the world over starts and ends at specified time,” he said.

“We needed to put in place a practical process whereby the iniquities identified in the former congress are not repeated. The ward leaderships conducting the congresses have till tomorrow to send in their reports, even if they have to do it all night to get it right.”

Tunji Shelle, the state chairman of the party, attributed the rowdy scene at the secretariat to the fact that the party was a “beautiful bride’’.

“The PDP is the beautiful bride of the 2015 elections in Lagos. We have bright chances and everyone wants to be a part of it,” he said.

“But, we will ensure fair play and hope that one day, fighting will end in Nigerian politics.”

Taofik Gani, the state publicity secretary, said  those who attempted to disrupt the exercise were not card-carrying members of the party.

“They were sent by our detractors to unleash terror on members and cause confusion,” he said.

“We foresaw it, which was why we tried to fortify the secretariat with heavily-armed policemen, but unfortunately they overwhelmed the security.

“We have learnt our lessons and will put in place measures to forestall future occurrence.”