PDP postpones NEC meeting as N’Central insists on having chairperson.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s North Central caucus has expressed disagreement to the indefinite postponement of its 99th National Executive Committee meeting, which was originally slated for November 28.
The Peoples Democratic Party, through its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, explained in a statement on Thursday that the funeral of Patience Umo Eno, the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and wife of Governor Umo Eno, necessitated the postponement of the 99th National Executive Committee meeting.
Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, together with PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, had made plans to continue in his post.
Since taking over as acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s judicial expulsion, Damagum has faced growing criticism from party leaders amid the PDP’s protracted crisis, with more voices asking for his resignation.
At the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, the organisation of ward and state congresses, and directed the North Central Caucus to consult on the ongoing issue of replacing the acting National Chairman with a permanent National Chairman.
The 98th NEC also established August 15 as the date for the 99th NEC conference, which was initially rescheduled for October 24, 2024, then for November 28, 2024, and is now indefinitely postponed.
Anyanwu announced the additional postponement of the NEC meeting on Thursday, saying, “Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee may recall that the NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, was rescheduled to take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024, following an extensive meeting of leaders, critical stakeholders, and relevant organs of the party held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
However, during their meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the National Working Committee concentrated on the events of the funeral ceremony for the deceased First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, who was married to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. These activities coincide with the proposed dates for the 99th NEC meeting.
“After careful consideration, the NWC, recognising the need for party leaders to commiserate with Governor Umo Eno and attend the funeral, hereby wishes to notify distinguished members of our party’s NEC that the 99th NEC meeting, previously scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, will now be held on a date to be communicated to members in due course.
Please take note of the date change and notify all NEC members appropriately. The NWC truly regrets the inconvenience this change in date will cause distinguished members of the NEC.
However, a high-ranking member of the NWC, who requested anonymity owing to a lack of authorisation to talk on the topic, described the postponement as a deliberate ploy to buy time.
He stated, “While the postponement is real because to the burial, it is also viewed as a deliberate move to purchase more time. If that weren’t the case, most attendees to both events would go by plane, thus there’s no compelling reason to move the NEC meeting.
“Those who support Damagum have practically taken control of the party and have made measures to ensure that he serves the remainder of Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure. That is why they promptly made this public, knowing that the governors who are set to convene in Jos on Saturday will be unable to act otherwise.
Meanwhile, Kola Ologbondiyan, a NEC member from the North Central region and former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, emphasised that adhering to the established succession plan outlined in Section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution (2017 Amendment) was critical to resolving internal PDP issues.
Speaking to North Central youths in Abuja on Thursday, Ologbondiyan stated that adhering to the party’s constitution was the best way to address the PDP’s difficulties and eventually work towards fixing Nigeria.
“Anything beyond this requirement will prove to be a pointless endeavour,” he made clear.
Ologbondiyan added, “Leaders must look at the big picture and confront the truth wherever it is required. We must inform those who have attempted to kill or incapacitate the PDP that the party is not a one-man operation. The founders dubbed it the People’s Democratic Party. As a result, the people of Nigeria own it, not any individual, regardless of their social standing.
He urged Damagum and his supporters to recognise that their activities were harming Nigerians.
“The party’s National Executive Committee decided at its 98th meeting to address the North Central’s demand at the 99th meeting, which was slated for August this year, but the intended NEC has been postponed numerous times to the disadvantage of the party and Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee’s NEC postponements are an anomaly that demonstrates a significant disregard for the party’s constitutional order.”
Ologbondiyan emphasised the necessity of the North Central region continuing to advocate for its rightful claim to the position of National Chairman of the PDP, warning that failure to do so would mean forfeiting its privileges within the party.
“It is trite wisdom that as long as Damagum is being encouraged to continue to sit on the position of North Central, the concept of fixing the PDP will be mere lip service that can cause the party more harm,” according to him.