Critical stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are intensifying pressure on the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, to ensure that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, takes place without delay.
The party’s constitution mandates the National Chairman to convene NEC meetings once every quarter, a duty Damagum has yet to fulfill amid the ongoing internal crisis.
Many members are growing frustrated with his reluctance to approve the upcoming NEC meeting, raising concerns over a potential constitutional breach.
Although the October 24 NEC meeting is listed on the party’s official calendar, anxiety is growing among party leaders and members who fear that Damagum may be deliberately stalling.
Sources within the PDP suggest that Damagum’s hesitation stems from political maneuvering regarding the party’s national chairmanship position.
At the heart of the issue is a push to return the national chairmanship to the North Central region following the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the former chairman from Benue State.
According to the PDP’s constitution, the position should revert to the North Central. However, Damagum, from the North East, is reportedly reluctant to step down.
The debate over leadership has divided PDP governors, with some supporting Damagum’s continued leadership, while others, allegedly influenced by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, argue that only a national convention can decide the party’s leadership.
Wike’s camp is reportedly pushing for a broader resolution on the chairmanship issue, further complicating matters.
The National Working Committee (NWC) itself appears divided on whether the NEC meeting should proceed as planned.
The split within the NWC mirrors the party’s broader leadership crisis, with factions issuing suspensions and counter-suspensions in recent weeks.
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Despite the internal rifts, some NWC members insist that the meeting must proceed as scheduled.
One NWC member, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Nigerian Tribune that Damagum has no choice but to convene the NEC meeting.
“Damagum is clearly afraid of calling the NEC, even though it has already been scheduled. But the right thing must be done,” the NWC member said.
“The only way to resolve this crisis is for the NEC to hold. The chairmanship post must return to the North Central. Nigerians are watching and waiting for the PDP to fix its issues and return to power.”
The same member added, “Let them do the right thing. Give the North Central its rightful place, and this party will come back strong. Nigerians are looking forward to seeing this resolved.”
When asked about the likelihood of the October 24 NEC meeting proceeding, the NWC member expressed uncertainty but reaffirmed that it was part of the official schedule: “I don’t know if the meeting will hold. We have a plan, and that is to follow the schedule for the NEC meeting. That’s my expectation. NEC is a statutory body that meets quarterly. What’s the big deal? Why is there resistance? It’s puzzling.”
According to sources, dissatisfaction within the party has intensified following recent moves to suspend Damagum.
The alleged suspension of the acting chairman led to significant reactions among PDP members, further highlighting internal discontent.
“You saw the reaction after the suspension,” said the anonymous NWC source. “The uproar was loud and clear. People are calling for change. They want Damagum out. It is his duty to call the NEC meeting, and whether he wants to or not, it has already been scheduled. As far as I’m concerned, the meeting has been called.”
Efforts to obtain comments from the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful, as he declined to provide a statement when contacted by phone on Friday.
The PDP’s internal struggles continue to concern many party loyalists, who believe that swift and decisive action is necessary to prevent further fractures and maintain the party’s viability ahead of future elections.
With the NEC meeting date just days away, all eyes are on the party to see if it will rise to the occasion and fulfill its constitutional requirement.
