The upcoming February 29 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears precarious, as reconciliation efforts among warring factions have failed to achieve meaningful results....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
Despite hopes that the forum would address critical issues, internal conflicts and disputes continue to undermine the party’s unity.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!One of the most contentious matters likely to dominate the NEC meeting is the ongoing feud between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor.
The two leaders have engaged in a public exchange of accusations, reflecting the deep-seated divisions within the party. Mohammed, in response to Wike’s criticism of his stance on President Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, described Wike as a “transactional politician” and a “liability” to the PD.
His media adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, accused Wike of prioritizing personal ambition over party loyalty and collective interests.
Wike retaliated by questioning Mohammed’s ability to lead the Governors Forum, accusing him of holding the position out of political greed.
According to Wike, the chairmanship should have been occupied by a southern governor, given that the previous chairman was from the North, like the current PDP National Chairman.
Amid this turmoil, the National Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has made little progress since its last meeting with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in October 2024.
Tasked with mending divisions within the party, the committee has yet to present tangible results, adding to doubts about whether the NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled.
A NEC member, speaking anonymously, suggested that the meeting might face further postponements, given the unresolved conflicts at various levels.
Another contentious issue is the leadership crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the PDP. A legal judgment from the Rivers State High Court recently affirmed the leadership of a faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This ruling has divided the NWC, with some members, including National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, accepting the decision.
Ologunagba stated that the NWC recognizes the Ewor-led faction as the legitimate leadership in Rivers State and called for unity behind Governor Fubara to deliver good governance.
However, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and his allies oppose this stance. Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi accused Ologunagba of misrepresenting the NWC’s position, asserting that the committee has not convened to discuss or endorse the judgment. This conflicting interpretation of events further highlights the deep rifts within the PDP.
The position of National Secretary also remains unresolved, with a legal dispute between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye. While lower courts have ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, Anyanwu has approached the Supreme Court to challenge his removal.
Anyanwu argues that his pending appeal and request for a stay of execution allow him to remain in office. While Damagum’s camp supports Anyanwu, others in the NWC, including Ologunagba, disagree.
Adding to the party’s challenges, the elected deputy officials, led by their spokesperson Comrade Timothy Osadolor, have aligned with Damagum. Osadolor called on party members to abandon blame games and unite behind Damagum’s leadership, warning detractors to either cooperate or resign.
He emphasized that the party’s survival depends on collective efforts to restore its strength, urging an end to internal discord and media-driven controversies. He also confirmed that Damagum would remain in office until December 2025.
As the PDP grapples with these multifaceted crises, its internal divisions threaten to overshadow efforts to rebuild the party and prepare for future elections.
The NEC meeting, if it holds, will be a critical test of whether the party can overcome its differences and chart a cohesive path forward.READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
