November 24, (THEWILL) – Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have given the party’s National Working Committee, led by Acting Chairman Umar Damagum, a three-month deadline to convene the National Executive Committee meeting.
The governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum, issued the ultimatum during a meeting held on Saturday at the Plateau State Government House, Jos, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
TheWILL reports that the NEC meeting, initially slated for April 2024, has faced multiple postponements, raising concerns within the party.
The governors emphasised the urgent need for the meeting to address pressing issues, including appointing a substantive National Chairman to succeed the suspended Iyorchia Ayu.
In a communiqué read by Governor Mohammed, the forum criticised the repeated delays in holding the NEC meeting, noting that the latest rescheduling from November 28 to an indefinite date has deepened concerns about the party’s internal divisions.
“The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance,” the communiqué read.
While empathising with Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, whose wife’s burial coincided with the initially scheduled NEC date, the forum insisted that the meeting must be held no later than the first week of February 2025.
They urged the NWC to use the intervening months to address leadership disputes, litigations, and other existential challenges facing the PDP.
The governors also aimed the Independent National Electoral Commission over the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
“The Forum notes with concern the manipulation of the Edo governorship elections by INEC in favour of the APC candidate when, in fact, the majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo,” it stated.
The governors called on the judiciary to reverse any outcomes influenced by “institutional sabotage” and urged the National Assembly to reform Nigeria’s electoral laws to prevent such incidents in future elections.
They also highlighted alleged vote-buying and manipulation in the recent Ondo governorship election, stating that the PDP is still examining the evidence.
Expressing solidarity with Nigerians facing economic hardship under the APC-led Federal Government, the governors called on President Bola Tinubu to review macroeconomic and fiscal policies that have worsened the plight of citizens.
“The Forum empathises with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government,” the communiqué added.
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