Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting scheduled for Thursday, today, a member of the party and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has warned that any decision taken at the meeting could either make or mar the party.
In a statement he issued on Wednesday night, Chidoka told the PDP governors and the National Assembly Caucus that any attempt by the PDP NEC to undermine the party’s constitution, may lead to “disaster that could sink the ship of the party”.
DAILY POST reports that the NEC meeting coming up later today would, among other things, address whether the current acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, should retain his position or be replaced.
Recall that Damagum, who was the PDP Deputy National Chairman, North, emerged as the acting National Chairman of the party following the indefinite suspension of Iyorchia Ayu, in March 2023 by a court in Benue State.
While some of the party’s stakeholders believe that a member from the North Central must be elected to complete Ayu’s tenure as stipulated in the party’s constitution, others have endorsed Damagum as the next substantive chairman.
But according to Chidoka, “if at the NEC meeting, the Party fails to uphold the constitutionality and respect for the rules of the party, then I and other progressive members will not hesitate to lead the pallbearers to the funeral of the party as we know it.
“The party must put an end to its submission to filthy lucre and macabre dancing to the music of unprincipled pipers.
“It must return to the role of providing good governance to its states and principled opposition that Nigerians can trust.
“If the party’s ship is not steered away from the gigantic iceberg prominent on its path, the consequences will be dire.
“It is a matter of grave urgency to save the soul of the party that ushered and stabilised democracy in Nigeria.”