The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is split over the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) slated for Monday, June 30, 2025.
While one faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) vowed to go ahead with the NEC meeting, another faction has opted for what it described as an “Expanded Caucus Meeting” taking place simultaneously.
While a faction, led by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja is holding the NEC meeting, the faction led by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum has put out a notice for an expanded caucus meeting
Notice for the NEC meeting, signed by Arapaja on Sunday, reads, “For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee (NWC) assures all party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.
“The 100th NEC meeting will among other things, receive updates on the activities of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organising Committee.
“As you are aware, the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025.
“By virtue of Section 31(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) the Monday, 30th June, 2025 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all Organs and members, and as such no Organ, group or officer of the Party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting.
“Contrary to a purported notice being circulated in the social media suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been converted to a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, the NWC states in clear terms that the said Notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.”
Arapaja emphasised that there is no provision whatsoever for an expanded national caucus in the PDP constitution or any guideline of the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 30 of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing for a National Caucus for the Party with its composition, functions and meetings clearly spelt out, leaving no room for any form of expansion.
“The suggestion, proposal or announcement for a ‘Special Expanded National Caucus meeting’ is therefore unconstitutional and cannot take any decision for the PDP being not a recognised Organ or Body in the PDP.
“The PDP is a political party built on the foundation and pedestal of strict adherence to the Rule of Law, guided by the due process of our Party Constitution and the ethos of internal democracy, which values must be protected and preserved at all time.
“The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the members of the PDP and reassures that the 100th NEC meeting and the National Convention will go on as scheduled by NEC,” he added.
