PDP Crisis Deepens: Board of Trustees Criticizes Delayed NEC Meetings, Calls for Unity
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to deepen as the Board of Trustees (BoT) has strongly criticized the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Acting Chairman Umar Damagum, for repeatedly postponing the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
At an emergency meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the PDP BoT, expressed his profound disappointment with the NWC’s inability to adhere to previously set timelines for the NEC meeting. The latest delay, originally scheduled for October 24, 2024, and then rescheduled to November 28, 2024, is now indefinitely postponed. This lack of action has led to mounting frustration among party members, with many calling for Damagum’s resignation.
Wabara, speaking passionately at the forum, emphasized that such delays are damaging the trust and confidence of PDP members. “The continued shifting of the NEC meeting undermines the integrity of the party,” he stated. The PDP BoT, which is responsible for upholding the conscience and legacy of the party, has made it clear that it will not relent in its efforts to restore order and peace within the party.
As part of efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis, Wabara revealed that the BoT is committed to meeting with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in January 2025. This meeting is part of a larger reconciliation initiative aimed at bringing unity to the party and addressing concerns over leadership disputes.
Wabara also reminded the NWC of the importance of the NEC meeting as a platform for decision-making, consultation, and collaboration across all levels of the party’s leadership. He cautioned that any further delays could exacerbate existing challenges and breed unnecessary discord within the party.
On a broader scale, Wabara called on the PDP to rise to the occasion in the face of the harsh economic policies of the Tinubu Administration, which have worsened the suffering of Nigerians. He urged the party to offer credible alternatives and advocate for economic relief to the nation’s struggling masses.
“We cannot afford to let personal ambitions overshadow our shared vision for a better Nigeria,” Wabara emphasized, urging PDP leaders to prioritize collaboration, dialogue, and unity as they navigate these turbulent times.
In response to the crisis, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, praised the BoT’s intervention, calling it timely and commendable. He expressed support for the BoT’s decision to allow the North Central Zone of the party to nominate a successor to the removed National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
As the PDP braces for the challenges ahead, Wabara reassured members that the BoT remains steadfast in its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the party’s future success. With the NWC under intense pressure to convene the NEC by February 2025, the party’s next steps could determine its ability to overcome this leadership crisis.