The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted its 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for Monday will go ahead.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday night, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja also said the National Convention scheduled for Thursday 28th will also be held.
“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,,” he announced.
He said the 100th NEC meeting will, among other things, receive updates on the activities of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee.
The press conference comes against the backdrop of the announcement made by the party’s acting National Chairman Umar Damagum that the scheduled meetings were cancelled.
But in a swift reaction, Arapaja alongside some NWC members countered Damagum insisting the lined up of activities must hold to move the party forward.
They were joined by the Board of Trustees of the party who insisted the NEC and National Convention must hold.
Arapaja reminded that the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday.
“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,” he stated.
He added, “The NWC emphasizes that there is no provision whatsoever for an ‘Expanded National Caucus’ in the Constitution of the PDP 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 recognized 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 times.
“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.
