Leadnaija
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it will so everything possible to convene its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting before the end of February.
Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum gave the assurance in his address during the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting which took place at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.Tap Here To Read Full DetailsÂ
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the PDP BoT, Sen. Adolphus Wabara regretted that the party has been thrown into crisis since after the 2023 general elections.
Wabara appealed to the stakeholders to rise above personal interests to work for the revival and development of the party.
“I pray this year that God Almighty will grant us divine wisdom and guidance as we navigate through these times, and the clarity of vision, integrity and courage to make decisions that will strengthen our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and uphold its foundational ideals.
“This meeting comes at a time when the unity, focus and direction and ideals of our great Party are being tested in ways that call for reflection and decisive action”.
The former Senate President frowned over the division in the National Working Committee (NWC), with a call on them to put aside their personal interests and work for the genuine rebuilding of the once ruling party.
“Primarily, let me express my profound disappointment over the crises currently rocking the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC). As elder statesmen and women; leaders who hold the trust of the generality of our party members and the public, it is disheartening that these issues have not been resolved.
The failure to resolve these internal conflicts undermines the strength and credibility of our party. It is therefore imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and places the survival and progress of our great party above all other considerations. In the light of these challenges”.
He equally called for the convening of a NEC meeting.
“I must emphasize the urgent need for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. I again urge the NWC to honour its words and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2025.
“It is pertinent to stress that party members across the country are in earnest expectation that the NEC meeting will hold this February.
“The NEC remains the highest decision-making body of our party, and it is crucial that we convene without further delay to address these pressing concerns”.
Wabara also reminded the stakeholders of the need to prepare for the Zonal Congresses and the critical importance of electing credible leaders at every level of the party’s structure.
He further spoke on the state of the nation, saying that the PDP is the only hope Nigerians have to escape the harsh economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“Despite the challenges we face, let me reiterate that the PDP remains the hope of Nigerians. Our nation has endured years of suffering under the poor policies and governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Nigerians are looking to us as a beacon of hope, and we cannot afford to let them down. We must rebuild trust and offer a credible alternative that prioritizes the welfare of the people”.
Meanwhile, apparently responding to Wabara’s message, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum blamed some of the elders and stakeholders of the party of instigating the crisis in the party.
“I want to say this with the highest sense of responsibility, part of this crisis that you see today within the NWC, is propelled by our leaders that are supposed to unite us.
“It’s very unfortunate, I would say it the way it is, where people are called, we all know the working of NWC, some of you here have been NWC members. I’ll be sitting down as the chairman only to see my members called by certain leaders to visit certain places, without my knowledge. Each one of you, if you are the chairman, will find it difficult.
“And I want to use this opportunity to caution us, caution our leaders.
You may have ambition, but you don’t ride on a dead horse to reach your destination. If you create crisis simply to further your ambition, you may get what you want, but you your dream will not be realized, because by that time, you have injured the horse you are going to ride to that destination.
“And as the conscience of this party, some of us are also complicit. We should look inwards, search our conscience. This party is dear to all of us, it is the only thing we have”.
On the request to convene the NEC meeting, Damagum said; “At the last meeting we had with the governor, we all agree we’ll have NEC. I want to assure you that we’ll do everything possible to have this NEC in this February. You are all aware we’ve started the process of zonal congresses”.
However, the Acting National Chairman cautioned the BoT members not to do anything that would jeopardize the planned zonal congresses.
“Even at that, I enjoin our leaders to also be mindful of doing anything that can mar these congresses. It’s very important to sound this note because whatever we do, is the structure you are building to hold what you have at your hand”.
Nevertheless, addressing newsmen after the BoT meeting, the Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara revealed that the party has set up a committee to look into the crisis rocking the party concerning the struggle for the position of the secretary of the party between Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye.
However, Wabara did not reveal other members of the committee headed by Amb. Tanimu Turaki.
Earlier shortly after the opening ceremony, there was a free for all between supporters of the factional secretaries Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye.
Trouble started after the opening ceremony when media and other non members of the BoT were excused out.
But Udeh-Okoye who claimed he was also invited to the meeting by the BoT remained inside the hall before he was asked to leave by loyalists of Anyanwu who was already seated at the high table.
His resistance further infuriated one of Anyanwu supporters simply known as Emma who pushed and also slapped Udeh-Okoye.
Infact, the two camps had mobilized thugs and other supporters who took over the vicinity of the Secretariat of the party as early as 8 am.
However, Anyanwu appeared to have been more strategic as his own supporters were largely inside, while those mobilized by Udeh-Okoye were staying outside the premises.
The fracas which lasted for over 10 minutes was later brought under control by men of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS).
As the tension was mounting, there was a heavy reinforcement of security operatives who stormed the place with about 15 Hilux vans.
Interestingly, as soon as the thugs saw the operatives which included men from the Police, DSS, Civil Defence, Immigration and Army, they gradually disappeared from the vicinity.
