The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its support for a bill before the National Assembly seeking to reserve seats for women in the legislature.
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its support for a bill before the National Assembly seeking to reserve seats for women in the legislature.
PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, made the commitment during a meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) on Monday, ahead of its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.
Reiterating the party’s commitment to women’s inclusion in governance, Damagum said it was no longer enough to have the 35 per cent affirmative action for women on paper; it must be translated into action.
“Recently, the National Assembly has been pushing forward with the liberation and inclusion of women in governance.
“You’ll recall that the Speaker of the House of Representatives sent a delegation led by the Minister of Women Affairs and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs to visit the National Working Committee (NWC).
“Their mission was to engage us on the reserved seats bill.
“At that meeting, we gave our word that we will endorse the bill.
“We also remain committed to advancing women’s inclusion at all levels of leadership, in our party and in the country,” he said.
Damagum noted that although the PDP constitution already supported 35 per cent affirmative action, the time had come for actual implementation.
“Implementation is the true measure of commitment,” he said.
He added that as the party prepared for its national convention, meaningful representation of women must be ensured, not just in committees, but also in the election of national officers.
On party unity, Damagum stressed the need for cohesion ahead of the party’s national elective convention scheduled for Nov. 15–16.
“In times like this, unity is our strongest message to the nation, that a credible, vibrant, and dominant opposition is alive and ready to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
He urged leaders to be mindful of the nation’s mood, warning that the choices made in the coming weeks would shape not only the PDP’s future, but the nation’s destiny.
Damagum also advised party leaders to close ranks following recent internal disagreements, especially over factional issues.
“We cannot afford internal cracks at such a critical time in our nation’s history.
“The sensitive matter of the national zoning committee must be handled with seriousness and inclusivity,” he said.
He described zoning as a pillar of balance and fairness in the PDP and urged members to treat it as such.
“This meeting gives us an opportunity to deliberate in the spirit of brotherhood, fairness, and patriotism.
“I trust our resolutions will be firm and our vision clear.”
In his remarks, PDP BoT Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, represented by BoT Secretary Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, emphasised the need for unity, sacrifice, and reconciliation if the PDP was to reclaim power in 2027.
Wabara noted that millions of Nigerians still pinned their hopes on the PDP, and that the party must demonstrate the collective capacity to lead, reconcile, and position itself effectively.
“Unity is not just a slogan; it is the lifeblood of any political organisation. Without unity, progress is stunted, and victory is elusive,” he said.
He also emphasised the spirit of sacrifice, saying reclaiming victory in 2027 would require more than words, it would require difficult choices for the greater good of the party and the Nigerian people.
Wabara urged the party to embrace reconciliation and inclusion, calling on elders to reach out to aggrieved members who had left the party.
“This does not mean abandoning our principles.
“It means applying wisdom and flexibility in how we enforce our rules. If necessary, we must adjust certain laws to accommodate genuine interests,” he clarified.
He warned against the dangers of exclusion, saying no political family could thrive on division.
With the national convention approaching in Ibadan, Wabara said now was the time for healing and fresh beginnings.
“The road to 2027 will not be easy. But if we unite, embrace sacrifice, and open our doors to reconciliation, the PDP will once again rise as the hope of Nigerians.
“Let us leave this meeting with determination, solidarity, and faith in our great party. Let us write the next chapter of the PDP, together,” he said.