Ex-Minister accused of hijacking PDP congress, party debunks claim

The Peoples Democratic Party in Yobe State has said it conducted peaceful local government congress election in line with the party’s guideline.
The party spoke amid allegations that a former Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, had hijacked the process.
Alhaji Bello Mahmud, the Secretary of the State Caretaker Committee, spoke on behalf of the party with newsmen on Saturday in Damaturu.
Mahmud said the elections were conducted for the local government councils with more than one candidate contesting.
He said in areas that had only one candidate, the candidate was adopted by a consensus.
Mahmud said candidates who purchased the forms participated with full adherence to constituted authorities of the party.
The secretary debunked claims that a former minister hijacked the ward and local government congresses.
Mahmud said: “It is not true that the process was hijacked by Dr. Yerima Ngama, former Minister of State for Finance.
“It is false and baseless the allegation that the process was hijacked and even those mentioned in the claim have not complained to the party.
“The party has not received any complaint from any quarters alleging any wrong doing in the conduct of the congress.”