PDP Ex-Officio Members Demand Urgent NEC Meeting To Prevent Implosion Amid Crisis
The call comes in the wake of what the group described as an escalating crisis within the top leadership of the party, warning that failure to act could lead to dire consequences.
Amid growing internal tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the National Ex-Officio of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) have urged the party leadership to ensure the NEC meeting slated for October 24, 2024, holds as scheduled.
The call comes in the wake of what the group described as an escalating crisis within the top leadership of the party, warning that failure to act could lead to dire consequences.
In a press statement released on Friday and signed by the Ex-Officio members, Dr. Yunana Ilya (North Central), Dr. Nicholas Msheliza (North East Zone), Chief Madu Chinemerem (South East Zone), Chief Patrick Agbe (South- South), Chief Faboyede Clement (South West), Alhaji Ibrahim Alhaji (North West Zone), the group expressed deep concern over the state of affairs in the PDP.
It highlighted the “dangerous turn of events” which is said to have the potential to destabilize the party.
“We have viewed with utter dismay and concern the dangerous turn of events within the top echelon of our party in recent times. These events have the tendency to shake the very foundation of our party,” the statement reads.
The National Ex-Officio members emphasised the need for a NEC meeting to provide a platform where aggrieved party members can voice their concerns and seek resolutions.
“The NEC meeting will afford members who are aggrieved the opportunity to be heard and their issues addressed,” the statement continued.
According to them, the PDP Constitution mandates the NEC to meet at least quarterly, but the members pointed out that the party has failed to adhere to this provision.
“It is regrettable that our party has not adhered to the provisions of its own constitution, which would have nipped in the bud many unresolved issues,” they stated.
They contend that the party should return to constitutional supremacy.
While the internal disagreements seem abated, following the intervention of the PDP Governors’ Forum, ex-officio members praised the efforts of the Forum, led by Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State.
“Through the firm and sterling leadership qualities of His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, the PDP Governors’ Forum has not only provided the needed direction but has indeed lived up to expectations,” they stated.
They also threw their weight behind the ongoing peace initiatives aimed at restoring the party’s unity and strength, adding that the party remains the only credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and urges the leadership to continue to position itself for future elections.
“Nigerians still believe that PDP is the only viable alternative to the failed Bola Tinubu-led APC administration,” the ex-officio members declared.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party, has faced several internal crises since its loss in the 2015 presidential election.
The party, which prided itself on being a symbol of democratic governance, has struggled with factional divisions and leadership battles, which have threatened its unity.
In recent years, the PDP Governors’ Forum has taken a leading role in efforts to resolve these conflicts, but ongoing issues have continued to challenge its stability.
