A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Amaechi Onowu, has petitioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging irregularities in the ongoing party congress process in Anambra State.

Onowu raised the concerns during a press conference in Abuja, where he alleged that the process meant to elect new party leaders in the state had been hijacked.

According to him, the issue centers on the sale of congress forms and participation in the internal party exercise.

The PDP chieftain, who is contesting for the position of state chairman in the ongoing congress, said he submitted the petition to draw attention to the developments affecting the process.

He stated that the position of state chairman had been zoned to the Anambra Central Senatorial District, where he is from.

“I am a registered member of PDP in the ward of Idemili North of Anambra State.

I want to draw the attention of our national leader of the party, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, to some of the actions orchestrated by some political merchants who have kept PDP in same shambles since the era of Chinwoke Mbadinuju till today,” Onowu said.

Party congresses are internal processes through which political parties elect or appoint officials to manage party affairs at various levels.

In Anambra State, the ongoing PDP congress is expected to produce new members of the state executive committee responsible for party administration.

Onowu alleged that the leadership of the state caretaker committee had restricted access to congress forms required by party members seeking to contest for positions.

He claimed that this action had prevented some stakeholders and party members from participating in the process.

According to the PDP chieftain, the sale of congress forms for chairmanship and other positions had allegedly been controlled by certain individuals involved in the process across the state’s 21 local government areas.

He said this situation had limited opportunities for interested members to obtain the forms and contest in the exercise.

Onowu also stated that the current caretaker committee chairman in the state was attempting to emerge as an unopposed candidate for the position of state chairman while overseeing the congress process.

Internal party congresses play a key role in determining the leadership structure of political parties and are essential for organising activities ahead of future elections.

Disputes arising from such processes often require intervention by party leadership or legal resolution mechanisms.