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PDP govs, NWC meet in Jos, brainstorm on NEC meeting
Amid ongoing internal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party, governors on the platform of the party will meet in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday, to discuss internal matters and the current state of the nation.
The meeting was in preparation for the 99th National Executive Committee meeting of the party scheduled for November 28.
A senior member of the PDP, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the issue, revealed to The PUNCH on Wednesday that the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), were invited to the meeting.
At the 98th NEC meeting, held on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, and the conduct of ward and state congresses, and instructed the North Central caucus to consult on the national chairmanship position.
The 98th NEC also set August 15 for the 99th NEC meeting, which was first postponed to October 24, 2024, and then rescheduled to November 28, 2024.
In the meantime, the Edo and Ondo governorship elections were held, with both states lost to the All Progressives Congress.
The crisis in the party has festered since the conduct of the 2023 general election which the party lost.
Some members, including governors, were asking that the acting national chairman, Damagum, step aside for a new leadership that would revive the fortunes of the party.
Another camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, wanted Damagum to stay out the remaining term of the sacked national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu.
A reliable source informed our correspondent that the governors’ meeting would establish the tone and agenda for the 99th NEC.
He stated “Although the NEC is scheduled for November 28, the governors will meet on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State.
“This meeting will decide whether the NEC will proceed as planned, as they will set the agenda and tone for the gathering.
“Although many stakeholders have perfected plans alongside state chairmen to retain Damagum.
“Some members of the NWC, including Damagum, the national secretary, national organising secretary, and the legal adviser, have been invited to the meeting. They will update the governors on developments within the party.
“Additionally, the meeting will address off-cycle elections, including the Edo and Ondo governorship elections which were lost. The governors will also discuss various national issues.”
The PUNCH reported on Wednesday that the NWC held a meeting with the chairpersons of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory at the party’s headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The meeting, which began at 1 pm and ended at 3:20 pm, was chaired by Damagum.
Speaking to the press after their closed-door meeting, the Interim Chairman of the PDP Forum of State Chairmen and Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, said contrary to belief, the party was emerging stronger in the new era.
He stressed that what was often referred to as a crisis within the PDP was, in fact, a superficial or “cosmetic” crisis.
When asked if Damagum was concerned about the party’s declining fortunes, particularly after the loss of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the forum chairman said, “You know the elections that the ruling party conducts now. You know what they do.
“We want to clear the erroneous impressions that the fortunes of the party are diminishing each day. It is not. It is rather looking stronger into the new dispensation.”
He continued, “What you may call a crisis in the party is just cosmetic. They are doing their work, they are all intact.
“You can see all of them in the meeting. So I don’t see where the crisis you are talking about is coming from. Social media hype, is that where the problems in the party are being discussed?
“We are here today, we didn’t see anybody coming to accuse the NWC of anything. This is the issue that we should look at.”
He, however, disclosed that the meeting with the PDP NWC “is simply to familiarise ourselves with the committee.
“Recall that a few months back, a lot of state congresses were held from wards, local government to the state. The NWC deemed it fit to gather all of us in Abuja to enable us to know each other.
“It is essentially to familiarise ourselves with the NWC and those whose tenure is still running and will be running out next year.
“We also discussed zonal congresses, the forms are out and those people who feel like contesting can go through their zonal offices to purchase the forms. We harped on unity among members of the party and across the board.”
Prior to the closed-door meeting with the chairpersons, Damagum clarified that the meeting was unrelated to the NEC meeting.
He stated “My chairmen, who are my commander in the states, this is not an unusual meeting. We’ve had this kind of meeting before, but this is not the first time for this set.
“For the record, I want to make it very clear that this meeting was to interact with the state chairmen. You can see from the introduction, more than half of the state chairmen here are brand new, for us to know ourselves and also discuss other matters such as the coming zonal congresses.
“It has nothing to do, like has been insinuated in the social media, about NEC or something of that nature. You can read it. I have not met any of you chairmen, from the time you were invited until in this hall.
So, for the record, I want to set the record straight, there is no such issue.
“Issues of NEC are entirely within the purview of NWC and the chairman. So we are not calling the chairmen here to maybe insinuate anything.
“Just for the record, it is a normal interactive session to welcome the new chairmen that have just joined us and also to get to know ourselves and to further discuss the ongoing zonal congresses. As you know there are already forms for the zonal congresses.”
PDP not about Damagun, Wike – Senators
The Senate caucus of the PDP has, however, asserted that the party’s identity transcended Damagum or Wike.
Speaking to journalists after a two-hour closed-door meeting on Wednesday, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), emphasised the need for the PDP to focus on strengthening its structure and preparing for future electoral challenges.
“The PDP is not just about Damagun or Wike; the PDP is about its members. We are working tirelessly to ensure that the party returns to its winning ways,” Moro said.
Reflecting on the party’s recent setbacks in gubernatorial elections, Moro acknowledged the challenges but maintained optimism about the PDP’s ability to bounce back.
He stated, “We discussed the life of our party, particularly in the context of recent electoral losses. While it is painful to lose, every failure is a lesson for future success.
“Our efforts are now geared towards ensuring PDP does not face such setbacks again, especially in states like Osun where we currently hold government.”
Moro also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission over its handling of elections, calling for reforms to restore credibility in the electoral process.
The caucus downplayed the significance of Wike’s perceived alignment with the ruling APC, describing it as a temporary distraction.
Moro drew parallels with the political dynamics in the United States, where members of opposing parties sometimes endorse candidates across party lines.
“Wike’s actions are not unusual. What matters is the collective resolve of the PDP to work against any forces undermining the party’s stability,” he said.
He further reiterated the PDP’s commitment to reclaiming lost mandates, citing the party’s determination to fight for justice in states like Edo, where he alleged the party’s mandate was “stolen.”
Despite recent challenges, Moro expressed confidence in the PDP’s resilience, describing it as a “brand” with a legacy of overcoming setbacks.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the troubled Anchor Borrowers Programme, turning its spotlight on insurance providers linked to the scheme amid concerns over weak coverage and alleged fund mismanagement.
At a hearing convened by the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, lawmakers began scrutinising the role of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation alongside private insurers in a programme valued at over N1.12 trillion.
The session forms part of a broader inquiry into how funds earmarked for agricultural support were handled, including allegations of diversion by government agencies and questions surrounding disbursement by participating financial institutions.
Representing the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Dayo Babaronti told the committee that the agency insured just over 200,000 farmers, covering about N109 billion under the scheme.
He revealed that the Central Bank deviated from the original framework, which designated the corporation as the sole insurer, by bringing in additional firms, including Veritas Kapital Insurance and Leadway Insurance. Neither company was present at the hearing.
According to him, the corporation’s involvement amounted to only a small fraction of the overall programme, leaving significant gaps in coverage.
He also outlined the corporation’s limited role in other agricultural financing initiatives, including support for smallholder farmers and specific crop programmes, where insurance backing fell far short of funding allocations. In some cases, he noted, the corporation was excluded entirely despite policy provisions.
Tge Committee Chairman, Rep. Chike Okafor, signalled that further hearings would follow, noting that the panel had received numerous complaints from farmers and industry groups regarding inadequate insurance protection.
He explained that the committee will recall the agency for additional questioning, particularly as its submission arrived late, leaving little time for proper review.
Rep. Okafor maintained that the investigation is aimed at uncovering the root causes behind the programme’s shortcomings and ensuring accountability across all institutions involved.
He pointed to early findings suggesting that key stakeholders, especially farmers and commodity associations, were largely excluded from the design and implementation of the intervention, a factor believed to have contributed to its underperformance.
He stressed the committee’s determination to get to the bottom of the issues, stating, “The reason why we are here is because the programmes did not succeed 100%. If they had succeeded 100%, we will not be here.”
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has approved sweeping financial reliefs and a long-term debt restructuring plan for three electricity distribution companies, in a move aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s troubled power sector.
The decision grants Kano, Jos and Ikeja DisCos a 10-year window to restructure liabilities running into hundreds of billions of naira, following mounting concerns over the sector’s financial sustainability.
At the heart of the intervention is a combined debt burden of over N248 billion, made up of more than N120 billion in historical obligations and about N128 billion in accumulated interest spanning a decade.
The resolution followed the adoption of a technical subcommittee report linked to findings from the Auditor-General, which highlighted rising debts across eleven distribution companies and growing pressure on the electricity market.
Chairman of the Technical subcommittee, Rep, Mark Chidi Obetta, said the move is part of broader legislative efforts to restore stability and address legacy financial challenges within the industry. He noted that the liabilities of the affected companies form a significant portion of the sector’s overall debt profile.
According to the report, total indebtedness across the eleven DisCos climbed from roughly N1 trillion at the end of 2024 to about N1.3 trillion by September 2025, driven largely by accumulating interest and unpaid obligations.
The committee said its investigation sought to verify these figures, establish the true extent of the debts and understand why the companies have struggled to meet payment commitments.
It confirmed that the liabilities had surged due to continued accruals, while also identifying disputes over interest charges as a major sticking point, particularly among the affected DisCos.
In response, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC,, directed that interest should not be applied to outstanding invoices between 2015 and 2020, while allowing such charges from 2021 onwards. It also instructed that interest linked to delays involving a financial intermediary be excluded.
As part of the restructuring framework, the report stated, “Based on appearance, submissions and request, the Committee established that Jos and Kano Electricity Distribution Companies remain significantly indebted to NBET. The interest component and accrued debt during government receivership period form a substantial part of Kano Disco’s liabilities.”
It further recommended that, “NBET and NERC should allow Kano Electricity Distribution company (KEDCO), Jos Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electricity Distribution company, with significant legacy obligations to restructure and repay their historical debts totaling N120,061,898,737… over an extended period of not more than 10 years.”
The report also proposed that certain liabilities incurred during periods of government intervention be transferred to a designated liability management body, while calling for a waiver of all accrued interest within the specified period.
Explaining the rationale, it added that the current market structure limits the ability of DisCos to recover costs, noting that revenue collection arrangements prioritise settlement of market obligations before operational expenses are released.
The committee stressed the need for discipline going forward, stating that, “All DisCos should ensure strict compliance with their current market obligations going forward to prevent further accumulation of liabilities.”
Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam, cautioned that without decisive restructuring and stronger regulatory oversight, the long-term viability of Nigeria’s electricity distribution system could remain under serious threat.
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has played a leading role in securing the adoption of a major international framework aimed at strengthening post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding efforts.
The resolution was endorsed at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, placing legislatures at the heart of efforts to rebuild societies and sustain long-term peace after conflict.
Kalu, who served as co-rapporteur alongside delegates from Jordan and the Netherlands, presented the draft document, which outlines a comprehensive approach to managing post-conflict transitions and restoring stability.
The move reflects a growing global shift towards recognising the central role of parliaments in ensuring accountability, inclusiveness and durability in peace processes.
The newly adopted framework is built around five key pillars, including institutional strengthening, fair economic recovery, social cohesion, inclusive governance and continued international support.
It also places strong emphasis on human and collective security as essential foundations for achieving lasting peace, while encouraging preventive strategies that address the root causes of conflict and promote resilience.
Central to the framework is the principle of national ownership, with countries expected to lead their own recovery efforts through inclusive systems that guide reconstruction, legal reforms and institutional rebuilding.
The approach also stresses that external support must align with national priorities and remain subject to democratic oversight, ensuring that recovery processes are both accountable and sustainable.
Kalu said: “The 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union urges Parliaments in countries affected by or emerging from conflict to ensure strong national ownership of peace and recovery processes by leading inclusive nationwide consultations, defining priorities through democratic deliberation and legislation, and ensuring that any external support is adapted to local needs, constitutional frameworks and international human rights obligations.
“Parliaments responsible for implementing peace agreements are called upon to give full legal effect to their provisions by incorporating them into national legislation, establishing clear implementation requirements, and creating permanent, cross-party mechanisms to regularly review progress. These should include hearings with relevant actors, such as women and youth groups and representatives of affected communities, to coordinate parliamentary follow-up, ensure continuity, identify gaps early, and uphold commitments across political cycles.
“When addressing the legacies of conflict, parliaments are also urged to establish national transitional justice frameworks by adopting legislation that enables truth-seeking processes, victim-centred reparations, and fair and transparent vetting or amnesty procedures, as well as effective cooperation with national and international accountability mechanisms. This ensures that justice, recognition of past harms and institutional reform form an integral part of sustainable peace.”
Beyond that, the resolution charges parliaments in countries affected by or emerging from conflict to lead inclusive nationwide consultations and ensure external support adapts to local needs, constitutional frameworks, and international human rights obligations.
Through the IPU resolution, Kalu also urged parliaments to establish national transitional justice frameworks that enable truth-seeking processes, victim-centred reparations, and fair vetting or amnesty procedures, while encouraging the use of human security approaches in legislative, oversight, budgetary, and representation functions.
The document also encourages parliaments to rebalance national and international budgetary priorities in favour of peacebuilding and prevention, prioritize conflict-affected populations in reconstruction and financing, and strengthen transparency and anti-corruption safeguards in recovery funds.
It further charges parliaments to support national and community-level reconciliation through inclusive dialogue and trauma-informed initiatives, promote local dialogue processes that bring together communities and former adversaries, and institutionalize the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and youth across all peace and dialogue processes in line with UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 2250.
The resolution also asked parliaments to strengthen inclusive political participation by ensuring all affected communities are represented in legislative deliberations, foster constructive political dialogue through cross-party platforms, and work with governments, regional organizations, the IPU, and the United Nations to strengthen international support and funding for peace agreements.
It likewise proposes that parliaments consider lawful mechanisms to facilitate reparations for victims and mobilize resources for reconstruction, including the use of frozen or otherwise immobilized assets where lawful.
The resolution requests that the IPU provide targeted technical assistance to parliaments engaged in post-conflict recovery, including advisory missions, capacity-building, peer-learning, and support in mediation and conflict prevention.
Reps Open Fresh Probe into N1.12tn Farm Scheme, Summon Insurers Over Gaps
Reps Back N248bn Lifeline for Power Firms, Unveil Debt Shake-Up Plan
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