January 29, (THEWILL) – The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on the National Working Committee, led by Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, to prioritise the party’s stability and immediately convene the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for February 2025.
At its 79th meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the BoT expressed concerns over the deepening leadership crisis within the party and urged the NWC to act in the best interest of the PDP.
Addressing the gathering, which included NWC members, BoT officials, and other key stakeholders, BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, decried the unresolved internal wranglings, warning that the crisis threatens the party’s credibility.
“Primarily, let me express my profound disappointment over the crises currently rocking the leadership of the National Working Committee.
“As elder statesmen and women entrusted with the confidence of our party members and the general public, it is disheartening that these issues remain unresolved. The failure to settle these internal conflicts weakens the PDP’s strength and credibility.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and places the survival and progress of our great party above all other considerations,” Wabara said.
He reiterated the urgency of the NEC meeting, stating that party members nationwide expect the February gathering to go ahead as planned.
“The NEC remains the highest decision-making body of our party, and we must convene without further delay to address these pressing concerns. The meeting will serve as a platform to reaffirm our shared commitment to unity, discipline, and the ideals that bind us as members of the PDP.
“As we prepare for our Zonal Congresses, let us remember the critical importance of electing credible leaders at every level. These individuals will be the face and voice of the PDP, and they must possess the vision, integrity, and capacity to guide the party effectively. It is essential that these processes are free, fair, and transparent,” he added.
Wabara further stressed that despite the current challenges, the PDP remains Nigeria’s best hope, especially given what he described as the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deliver good governance.
“Nigerians are looking to us as a beacon of hope, and we cannot afford to let them down. We must rebuild trust and present a credible alternative that prioritises the people’s welfare,” he said.
Meanwhile, Damagum accused some party leaders, including BoT members, of exacerbating the leadership crisis within the NWC.
Speaking at the meeting, he warned against actions that could destabilise the party, vowing that the NEC meeting would hold as scheduled.
“I want to say this with the highest sense of responsibility: part of the crisis within the NWC is being fueled by our leaders, who should be uniting us. Some of us are complicit, and we must search our conscience. This party is dear to all of us, and it is all we have.
“It is unfortunate that as NWC chairman, I sometimes learn about my members being summoned by certain leaders without my knowledge. If any of you were in my position, you would find this difficult to manage.
“I urge our leaders to exercise caution. You may have ambitions, but you don’t ride a dead horse to your destination. If you create a crisis to further your ambitions, you may get what you want, but in the end, you will have destroyed the platform you need to succeed,” Damagum stated.
He assured party members that the NEC meeting would hold as planned, noting that the process for the Zonal Congresses was already underway.
“At our last meeting with the governors, we all agreed that the NEC meeting must take place. I assure you that we will do everything possible to convene it this February.
“Even as we proceed with the Zonal Congresses, I urge our leaders to avoid actions that could disrupt the process. The structure we are building now will determine the party’s future,” he said.
Damagum acknowledged that while there were issues in a few states, the party was making progress in stabilising its structures.
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