The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) over repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The BoT chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara also announced plans to meet with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in January as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in the party.
In his address at an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Wabara criticized the NWC’s failure to adhere to timelines.
He noted that the continuous postponements of the NEC meeting were undermining party unity and trust.
Wabara said: “Today, we convene under challenging self-inflicted circumstances, compelled by our collective concern for the current state of our great party.
“As custodians of the Peoples Democratic Party’s conscience and legacy, it is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of this institution and ensure that it continues to serve as a beacon of hope for our democracy and good governance for our dear nation.”
The NEC meeting, initially scheduled for August 15 and later postponed multiple times, remains indefinitely delayed. In response, the PDP Governors Forum led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has instructed the NWC to convene the NEC meeting no later than February 2025.
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Wabara expressed disappointment over the NWC’s inaction, stating, “It is with a deep sense of disappointment that I must express the Board’s dismay at the continued shifting by the National Working Committee (NWC) in convening a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“This delay not only undermines the trust and confidence of our members.
“We recognize that challenges may arise during governance and administration, but adherence to timelines and commitments is non-negotiable. Inasmuch as the Board of Trustees serves as the conscience of the party, we expect that the NWC would honour its word and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled.
“This is critical for resolving pressing issues and charting a clear path forward for the party.”
Wabara stressed the importance of unity within the PDP, highlighting the NEC’s role as a vital platform for decision-making and collaboration. He cautioned that further delays could exacerbate internal discord and hinder the party’s progress.
“Further delays could exacerbate existing challenges and sow unnecessary discord within our ranks. As the BoT, we will not relent in our efforts to ensure accountability and adherence to the party’s constitution,” he added.
On a broader note, Wabara criticized the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, attributing the worsening poverty and rising cost of living to poorly implemented reforms. He urged the PDP to position itself as a credible alternative by amplifying the voices of Nigerians struggling under the weight of economic hardships.
“Our party must rise to this occasion by offering credible alternatives and amplifying the voices of the suffering masses,” he said. “Let us reaffirm our commitment to the values of fairness, equity, and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Looking ahead, Wabara emphasized the importance of resolving internal party conflicts, beginning with renewed peace efforts involving Nyesom Wike.
“The BoT will be relentless in seeking peace and unity in our party as the conscience of PDP. To this end, the BoT will begin again to search for peace in the new year, starting with former Governor Nyesom Wike, who the BoT had promised to visit again to seek lasting peace,” he concluded.
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