Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to mobilize two-thirds support and convene an emergency meeting to address challenges hindering the party’s progress.
The call came amid growing concerns over the delay in convening the NEC meeting by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, with party leaders saying the move could derail reconciliation efforts and PDP repositioning plans. I think there is.
Former party secretary, Mr. Umar Ibrahim Tsauri, expressed the need for the PDP governor to spearhead efforts to garner two-thirds support to convene the conference.
Another party official, who spoke anonymously, warned that Damagum’s inaction could disrupt the reconciliation process.
At the PDP’s 98th NEC meeting on April 18, the leaders approved the establishment of a Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee in parallel with plans for the district and state assemblies. They also ordered the North Central caucus to consult on Mr Damagum’s replacement.
The next meeting was originally scheduled for August 15, 2024, but was postponed several times, first to October 24, then to November 28, and is now postponed indefinitely.
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has intervened and directed the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that the NEC meeting is held by the first week of February 2025.
Article 31, Section 5, as amended in the PDP 2017 Constitution, states: “A quorum for the National Executive Committee shall be two-thirds of the members elected from at least two-thirds of the zones within the federation; “shall be done.” Please pass any motion. ”
“The NEC meeting was scheduled for November 28. Previously we had postponed this meeting twice and the excuse for postponing this meeting was genuine,” the former chief secretary said in an interview with Punch. ” he said.
“But many of us did not expect it to be postponed, so now we are suggesting the first week of February.”Indeed, Akwa Ibom State Governor held his wife’s funeral service. It would be insensitive for PDP NEC to hold a meeting on the 28th. However, the meeting may be held a few days later.
“The party’s constitution is very clear, with the party chairman calling for an NEC meeting. If the chairman refuses to call a meeting, the constitution requires that the NEC members constitute two-thirds of the members and the chairman It mandates that the meeting be held.
Ibrahim Tsauri said the PDP governor had no constitutional authority to call for an NEC meeting.
In addition, the PDP leader, who spoke anonymously, said, “Considering the management of the party, the time has come for party members, especially NEC members, to mobilize the necessary two-thirds of the party and convene a meeting to discuss urgent issues.” .
“This conference has been postponed many times because some people do not want it to take place. Those who are interested in the future of the party and want most of the problems to be resolved must mobilize themselves and muster courage. We should gather all our strength and call a meeting with or without Damagum.
“This party is bigger than any individual, and we don’t need to keep waiting for people who are preventing us from meeting for selfish reasons.”
