The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party has indefinitely postponed its state congress following disagreements among members over the party’s voters’ register.
The development has reportedly deepened divisions within the party, splitting it into two factions.
The postponement arose from disagreements over the modalities for the exercise, with some members advocating a direct congress while others insisted on an indirect process.
The congress, initially scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, was delayed until about 2 p.m. as members failed to reach consensus on how the exercise should be conducted.
The disagreement over the voters’ register further fueled the crisis.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Yakubu Paul, announced the postponement after consultations with the party’s National Secretariat, explaining that the decision was necessary to allow for proper preparations.
“According to him, I have just spoken with the National Secretariat and received approval to postpone this congress to enable us to prepare for the reschedule. We were supposed to have held our ward and local government congresses, after which the chairmen and secretaries that emerged would serve as delegates to vote at the state congress, but this was not done,” he said.
Tensions escalated as members loyal to the incumbent state chairman, Greg Igbinomwanya, insisted that only 344 individuals listed in the party’s register should be eligible to vote.
However, those aligned with Yakubu Paul rejected this position, alleging manipulation of the register.
The spokesperson for the aggrieved members, Adams Erunmwunse, accused the party leadership of losing credibility and attempting to influence the process to retain control.
“Greg never wanted this congress to hold because his tenure ended in 2024; hence he came up with a retrogressive register of just 344 members,” he added.
When contacted, Igbinomwanya dismissed the claims, insisting that the register being used by the party was authentic.
He also alleged that some individuals were sponsored to obtain membership cards on the morning of the congress solely to participate in the exercise, but the plan did not materialise.
