Governors elected under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern directive to the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Umar Damagum, urging them to convene the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting no later than February 2025.
The governors, who met recently to address the party’s ongoing challenges, expressed concern over the continuous postponements of the NEC meeting, which has been delayed since August.
The NEC meeting, which is expected to address crucial issues affecting the party, including the appointment of a permanent National Chairman to replace the suspended Iyorchia Ayu, has seen several postponements.
Originally scheduled for August 15, the meeting was pushed to October 24, then rescheduled to November 28, before being indefinitely delayed.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, issued the statement after the meeting.
He emphasized the governors’ commitment to unity within the party, saying, “The Forum acknowledges the concerns of Nigerians, party founders, elders, and members about the apparent divisions within the PDP. However, we remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure unity and cohesion within the party.”
The governors also noted their empathy for Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, whose wife’s passing led to the latest postponement of the NEC meeting.
Despite this, they advised the NWC to call for the NEC by February 2025, allowing time for consultations with key party stakeholders.
The period between November and February will be used to address critical issues, including leadership disputes and ongoing litigations.
The Forum also expressed concern about the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, which they attributed to the policies of the APC-led federal government.
The governors called on President Bola Tinubu to review his administration’s macroeconomic and fiscal policies to improve the welfare of the nation’s citizens.
Furthermore, the PDP governors vowed to continue pursuing policies aimed at alleviating the economic strain on Nigerians and ensuring progress and development within their states.
They also expressed disappointment over the outcomes of the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections, which were won by the APC, urging the judiciary to take action to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
