The North Central caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed opposition to the indefinite postponement of its 99th National Executive Committee meeting, which was initially set for November 28.

In a statement on Thursday, the Peoples Democratic Party, through its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, explained that the 99th National Executive Committee meeting was postponed due to the funeral of Patience Umo Eno, the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and wife of Governor Umo Eno.

It was previously reported by The PUNCH on Tuesday that the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, with the support of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, had made arrangements to stay in his position.

Since taking over as acting National Chairman after Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced mounting criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing crisis within the PDP, with more voices calling for his resignation.

At the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, the conduct of ward and state congresses, and instructed the North Central Caucus to consult on the ongoing issue of replacing the acting National Chairman with a permanent National Chairman.

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, now indefinitely postponed.

Announcing further postponement of the NEC meeting on Thursday, Anyanwu said, “Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee may recall that the NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, was rescheduled to hold on Thursday, November 28, 2024, after an extensive meeting of leaders, critical stakeholder and relevant organs of the party held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

“However, at its meeting of Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the attention of the National Working Committee was drawn to the programme of events of the funeral ceremony of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, which events coincide with the scheduled dates of activities for the 99th NEC meeting.

“After due consideration, the NWC, recognising the need for party leaders to commiserate with Governor Umo Eno and also participate in the funeral, hereby wishes to notify distinguished members of NEC of our party that the 99th NEC meeting, earlier scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, will now be held on a date that will be communicated to members in due course.

“All NEC members should please note the change of date and be guided accordingly. The NWC sincerely regrets the inconveniences this change of date will cause distinguished members of NEC.”

But a high-ranking member of the NWC, who wished to remain anonymous due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, described the postponement as a deliberate strategy to buy time.

He said, “While the postponement is genuine due to the funeral, it is also seen as a calculated tactic to buy more time. If that were not the case, most attendees of both events typically travel by air, so there’s no real need to shift the NEC meeting.

“Those supporting Damagum have effectively taken control of the party and have put plans in place to ensure he completes the term of Senator Iyorchia Ayu. That is why they made this public quickly, as the governors scheduled to meet in Jos on Saturday won’t be able to act otherwise.”

Meanwhile, a NEC member from the North Central region and former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, emphasised that the key to resolving the issues within the PDP lay in adhering to the established succession plan outlined in Section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution (2017 Amendment).

Speaking to North Central youths in Abuja on Thursday, Ologbondiyan argued that respecting the party’s constitution was the only way to address the challenges facing the PDP and ultimately work towards fixing Nigeria.

“Anything outside of this demand will end up an exercise in futility,” he stressed.

Ologbondiyan stated “leaders must look at the bigger picture and address the truth wherever it is required. We must tell those who have undertaken to either kill the PDP or render it comatose that the party is not a one-man organisation. The founders named it the Peoples Democratic Party. It is, therefore, owned by the people of Nigeria and not any individual, no matter how well placed in the society.”

He said Damagum and his supporters should recognise that their actions were harming Nigerians.

“The National Executive Committee of the party took a decision at its 98th meeting to consider the demand of the North Central at the 99th meeting scheduled in August this year but the proposed NEC has suffered untold postponements to the detriment of the party and Nigerians.

“These postponements of NEC by the National Working Committee is an aberration that shows a huge disrespect for the constitutional order of the party.”

Ologbondiyan stressed the importance of the North Central region continuing to press for its rightful claim to the position of National Chairman of the PDP, warning that failing to do so would mean forgoing their rights within the party.

“It is trite wisdom that as long as Damagum is being encouraged to continue to sit on the position of North Central, the concept of fixing the PDP will be mere lip servicing that can cause the party more harm,” he said.