Abuja, Nigeria – The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated postponement of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by acting Chairman Umar Damagum.
Speaking during an emergency meeting of the BoT in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, highlighted the adverse impact of the delays on the party’s unity and credibility. Wabara also announced plans to meet with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in January 2024 as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis within the party.
Since Damagum’s appointment as acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court-ordered removal, there has been growing discontent among party leaders, with calls for him to step down. The 98th NEC meeting, held on April 18, approved several resolutions, including the creation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, the conduct of ward and state congresses, and the nomination of a permanent replacement for the acting National Chairman by the North Central Caucus.
However, the scheduled 99th NEC meeting, originally set for August 15, 2024, has been repeatedly postponed, most recently to an indefinite date. This has prompted the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, to urge the NWC to convene the NEC meeting no later than February 2024.
BoT Calls for Accountability
Addressing the delays, Wabara lamented the NWC’s failure to adhere to timelines, warning that it eroded trust among party members.
“It is with a deep sense of disappointment that I must express the board’s dismay at the continued shifting by the National Working Committee in convening a National Executive Committee meeting. This delay not only undermines the trust and confidence of our members,” he said.
Wabara emphasized the NEC’s importance as a platform for decision-making and collaboration, urging the NWC to prioritize the party’s unity and democratic principles. He warned that further delays could exacerbate the party’s internal challenges and sow discord.
“As the BoT, we will not relent in our efforts to ensure accountability and adherence to the party’s constitution,” Wabara stated, calling on the NWC to convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2024.
Wabara also reiterated the BoT’s commitment to fostering peace within the party. He announced plans to resume reconciliation efforts in the new year, beginning with a meeting with Nyesom Wike to address lingering issues.
“The BoT will be relentless in seeking peace and unity in our party. To this end, the BoT will begin again to search for peace in the new year, starting with former Governor Nyesom Wike,” he said.
Economic Challenges and the PDP’s Role
On the national front, Wabara criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, citing their adverse impact on Nigerians. He called on the PDP to offer credible alternatives and amplify the voices of the suffering masses.
“Our party must rise to this occasion by offering credible alternatives and amplifying the voices of the suffering masses,” he said, urging members to prioritize dialogue and collaboration over personal ambitions.
The BoT’s decisions received commendation from former National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, who described them as timely and patriotic.
“The decision reached at the meeting of the BoT mandating the North Central geo-political zone of the party to nominate a replacement for Senator Iyorchia Ayu is timely, patriotic, and commendable,” Ologbondiyan said in a statement.
He praised the BoT’s courage in addressing the party’s challenges and urged all party members to support the decision.
As the PDP continues to grapple with internal issues, the coming months will be critical in determining the party’s unity and direction ahead of upcoming political challenges.
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