|POLITICS| As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party continues to escalate, the Board of Trustees has called for an emergency meeting for Wednesday (today) to address the ongoing issues.

Multiple sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak on the matter, exclusively informed The PUNCH that the BoT had called a meeting for members to discuss the ongoing crisis within the party and proffer solutions.

Since Umar Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman following the court’s removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, he has faced increasing criticisms from party leaders.

The criticism has been fueled by the ongoing crisis within the PDP, with growing calls for his resignation amid the turmoil.

During the 98th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting on April 18, 2024, party leaders were unable to resolve several key issues. Among these was the proposal from the North Central region to replace the acting National Chairman with a permanent one, highlighting the deep divisions within the party’s leadership.

The 98th NEC meeting also scheduled the 99th NEC meeting for August 15 to address outstanding matters. However, this meeting, which was initially postponed to October 24, 2024, and later rescheduled for November 28, 2024, was ultimately postponed indefinitely.

In response, the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, directed the National Working Committee, NWC, in December 2024 to ensure that the NEC meeting was convened by February 2025 at the latest. On December 5, 2024, Wabara expressed concerns that the continued delay was eroding the trust and confidence of party members.

As the delay for the NEC meeting persisted, the leadership crisis deepened over the National Secretary position. Former youth leader of the party, Sunday Ude-Okoye, backed by some NWC members, continues to claim the position of National Secretary despite a Court of Appeal ruling stating that Senator Samuel Anyanwu should remain in the position until the Supreme Court ruled on the appeal.

One of our sources disclosed that the main agenda at today’s BoT meeting includes the urgent need for the NEC meeting, the conflict between National Secretary, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and PDP Governors Forum chairman, Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, as well as the ongoing zonal congresses within the party.

He stated, “The issues in the PDP are getting out of hand, and in the coming days, there will be a series of meetings. On Wednesday (today) the BoT, led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, will meet to review some of these issues.

“The meeting is scheduled for 11am at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. Some of the key issues to be discussed include the urgent need for the NEC meeting next month, the ongoing litigation over the National Secretary, the rift between Wike and Governor Bala, the outstanding Congress, and the ongoing processes for the Zonal Congress, among others.

“This will be the first PDP BoT meeting for 2025, so issues concerning the party and the situation in Nigeria will also be part of the agenda.”
|PUNCH|