12th March, 2012
The Benue state local government congresses of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, conducted Saturday was peaceful in most of the local government areas of the state, but the story was different in Gwer Local Government Area, where the official quarters of the council Chairman, Mr. Dennis Aernyi was burnt down by irate supporters of the party.
The youths expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the congress, accusing the chairman and other party officials of attempting to manipulate the register of party members in the local government area.
Reacting to the incident, the state PDP Public Relations Officer, Mr. Godwin Ayihe said: “it is expected that in a big party like this, there would be violence and acrimony during the congress.”
He stated that the state Working Committee of the party as well as the panel set up by the national secretariat are working hard to ensure that all issues are sorted out harmoniously.
During the ward congresses a similar violence occurred in Guma LGA of the state where angry party supporters attempted to burn down the house of a Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tivlumum Nyitse.
Four PDP stalwarts from the area including a serving commissioner and former local government chairman were later arrested by the police for allegedly masterminding the violence that almost claimed the life Permanent Secretary.
Nyitse escaped death by the whiskers.
—Ubong George/Makurdi