PDP Postpones NEC Meeting for Election of New National Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to elect a new national chairman, moving it from August to September 2024.

The change was made due to the absence of key stakeholders who are currently performing their religious obligations during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Initially set for August 18, 2024, the NEC meeting will now take place on September 12, 2024. This decision follows the April 18 NEC resolution to elect a new national chairman, filling the vacancy left by the suspension of former Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

In the April 18 meeting, the party also decided to hold congresses in wards, local governments, and states where executives’ tenures had expired, leading up to the election of a substantive national chairman.

A letter signed by PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature outlined the new schedule, attributing the delay to the upcoming Muslim festival. The letter stated: “Due to the coming Muslim festival, the planned NEC meeting and state congresses will no longer take place on August 18 as earlier scheduled.”

The NWC, representing the NEC, approved an extension of the membership drive, which will now end on June 27, 2024. Additionally, the timetable for the 2024 congresses was adjusted:

Ward Congresses: Scheduled for July 27, 2024, with appeal panels hearing any arising appeals on August 2, 2024.
Local Government Elections: Set for August 10, 2024, with appeal panels convening on August 16, 2024.
State Congresses: Planned for August 31, 2024, with appeals to be heard on September 5, 2024.

The new NEC meeting date has been finalized for September 12, 2024. The letter emphasized that the adjustments were necessary to accommodate stakeholders observing Hajj and concluded by expressing gratitude for the commitment to the party and the NWC’s highest regards.