PDP Leaders Demand NEC Meeting To Resolve Party Crisis

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on National Executive Committee (NEC) members to rally two-thirds support and convene an emergency meeting to tackle challenges hindering the party’s progress.

The call comes amid growing concerns over delays by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, in organizing the NEC meeting, a move party leaders believe could derail reconciliation efforts and plans to reposition the PDP.

A former National Secretary of the party, Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri, expressed the need for PDP governors to spearhead efforts to gather two-thirds support to convene the meeting.

Another senior party member, who spoke anonymously, warned that Damagum’s inaction could frustrate the reconciliation process.

During the PDP’s 98th NEC meeting on April 18, leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, alongside plans for ward and state congresses. They also tasked the North Central caucus with consulting on a replacement for Damagum.

The next meeting, initially slated for August 15, 2024, has faced multiple delays, first to October 24, then to November 28, and is now postponed indefinitely.

The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has now stepped in, directing the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the NEC meeting is held by the first week of February 2025.

As amended in the PDP 2017 Constitution, Section 31(5) states, “The quorum of the National Executive Committee shall be two-thirds of the membership drawn from at least two-thirds of the zones in the federation, and a simple majority shall pass any motion.”

In an interview with Punch, the former secretary stated, “The NEC meeting was scheduled for November 28. Before that, we had postponed this meeting twice, and the excuses given for postponing this meeting were genuine.

“However, many of us never expected it to be postponed and are now suggesting the first week of February. Yes, it would be insensitive for the PDP NEC to hold the meeting on the 28th when the Akwa Ibom State Governor was having his wife’s funeral ceremony. But the meeting can be held a few days after that.

“The constitution of the party is very clear: the chairman of the party calls for the NEC meeting. If the chairman refuses to call the meeting, the constitution states that the membership of the NEC should constitute two-thirds and compel the chairman to hold the meeting.”

Ibrahim-Tsauri stated that the PDP governors do not have the constitutional authority to request an NEC meeting.

Also, the PDP leader who spoke anonymously said, “The way the party is being run, it is time for members, especially NEC members, to mobilise the required two-thirds and convene the meeting to discuss pressing issues.

“This meeting has been postponed several times because some people don’t want it to be held. Those who are interested in the party’s future and want most issues resolved should mobilise themselves, summon the courage, and call for a meeting with or without Damagum.

“This party is bigger than any individual, and there is no need to continue waiting for those who, for selfish reasons, are preventing the meeting from taking place.”