PDP NEC Meeting thrown into uncertainty and divisions

 

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been thrown into uncertainty following a resurgence of divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), sources within the party have disclosed.

The NWC, responsible for organizing NEC meetings, remains entangled in internal disputes, particularly regarding the continued tenure of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum.

Earlier conflicts led to the suspension of Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and other party members. However, interventions by PDP governors temporarily restored peace, reversing the suspensions.

A meeting held in Jos, Plateau State, PDP governors, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, urged the NWC to convene the NEC meeting by February 2025.

“The forum strongly advises the NWC to call the NEC meeting by the first week of February at the latest to allow for consultations with critical stakeholders of the party,” Mohammed stated. “The period between November and February should address the party’s existential problems, with a clear timeline of activities to resolve leadership and litigation issues.”

The 98th NEC meeting had initially scheduled the 99th for August 15, 2024, but it was postponed multiple times—ultimately indefinitely—until the governors’ intervention.

Renewed Tensions Threaten Progress

Despite earlier progress, the fragile peace within the party appears to have deteriorated following new disputes over the position of the national secretary.

Last week, Damagum and embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu accused Ologunagba of unilateral actions, appointing Deputy National Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi as their spokesman.

At his inaugural press conference, Abdullahi referenced a court order restricting the deputy national secretary from calling NEC or NWC meetings, signing documents, or performing other duties without Anyanwu’s directive.

“We are obliged, as a law-abiding party, to respect the court order,” Abdullahi stated.

Meanwhile, Ologunagba defended his role, asserting, “The party’s communication channels are clearly outlined in our constitution.

The National Publicity Secretary is the authorised person to convey the party’s activities to the public, and this position is part of the NWC. The deputy publicity secretary is not a member of the NWC and cannot speak for the party. He is exhibiting ignorance.”

On the NEC meeting, he told Daily Trust, “I expect the party to do what is right. The governors’ forum is critical to our party, and consultations will follow. NEC should resolve these issues, but we must first unite as one house.”

February NEC Meeting Still on Track?

Despite the ongoing disputes, Timothy Osadolor, a member of the NEC and Deputy Youth Leader, dismissed concerns that the tensions could derail the February NEC meeting.

“February remains the date, and the current issues are not enough to obstruct NEC. It is crucial that NEC holds, and it will,” Osadolor told Daily Trust.

Efforts to reach Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdullahi for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.