The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) for its repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the BoT, expressed concerns during an emergency meeting of the body in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting the ongoing leadership struggles within the party.
Wabara revealed that the BoT would continue its efforts to resolve the crisis by engaging former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in a planned meeting in January, seeking to restore unity in the party.
Wike, a key figure in the PDP’s current turmoil, has been at the center of the crisis following the removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman by the court.
Since Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman, there have been increasing calls for his resignation amid growing dissatisfaction from party leaders.
The party’s leadership initially set August 15 for the 99th NEC meeting, which has since been rescheduled multiple times and is now indefinitely postponed.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has called for the NEC meeting to be convened no later than February.
Wabara expressed disappointment over the repeated delays, stressing that they undermine the confidence of party members and hinder the party’s ability to move forward.
“The delay in convening the NEC meeting is damaging to the trust and unity of the party. The BoT has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the PDP, and we expect the NWC to adhere to its commitments,” Wabara said, emphasizing the importance of adhering to timelines for resolving critical issues.
The former Senate President pointed out that the PDP’s strength lies in unity and adherence to democratic principles, calling for action to avoid further discord.
He also warned that further delays could deepen existing challenges within the party, urging the NWC to take swift action.
Externally, Wabara criticized the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, which he claimed have worsened the plight of Nigerians.
He called on the PDP to present itself as a credible alternative, advocating for policies of fairness and prosperity.
He also underlined the importance of internal unity, calling on members to put aside personal ambitions and focus on the collective vision for a better Nigeria.
Wabara expressed the BoT’s commitment to peace and unity, beginning with a renewed effort to engage Wike and seek a resolution to the party’s internal divisions.
