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.