The camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is in a celebratory mood following the endorsement of the Amb. Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 98th meeting in Abuja.
The endorsement comes amid tensions within the party, particularly regarding the leadership position. The Atiku Abubakar camp had pushed for Damagum’s return as Deputy National Chairman (North) to allow the North Central to produce a substantive National Chairman following the truncated tenure of former Chairman, Dr. Iyiorchia Ayu.
However, with the NEC’s backing of the current NWC, the Atiku camp is reportedly regrouping to devise new strategies.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the NEC meeting, contrary to anticipated discord. He emphasized the party’s unity and commitment to constitutional processes.
Regarding the issue of electing a new chairman from the North Central, Mohammed stated that activities would intensify in the next two months. He underscored the party’s adherence to constitutional provisions and pledged a smooth transition.
Amb. Umar Damagum, speaking after the NEC meeting, downplayed the significance of his position, emphasizing that party unity was paramount.
The NEC, in a communique read by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, commended the resilience of party organs and members in the face of challenges. It criticized the APC government for its alleged insensitivity, incompetence, and failure to address the nation’s pressing issues, including insecurity and economic hardship.
He said, “ You can see there was no dissension and rancour. It was planned that the party will have an implosion. PDP is more than that, we have given beyond all these.
“This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality. There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there.
“But we looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem or dissension and problem among members.
“On the issue of a new chairman from North Central, the PDPGF Chairman said, “In the next two months we will see a lot of activities.
“Leadership is a responsibility. We said in September we would have come out from our congresses.
“We will look at the issue of leadership and look at the issue of our constitution where it will be. And we will do it with no rancour.”
Also speaking shortly after the NEC meeting, Damagum told reporters that the position he occupies is not a matter of life and death for him.
He said, “This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this NEC. Even If I revert to deputy national chairman I’m still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge.”
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, who read the communique after the NEC meeting, said, “
The NEC of our great Party, at its 98th meeting today, Thursday, April 18, 2024, thoroughly assessed the State of affairs of the Nation and the Party and resolved as follows:
“NEC commends all the Organs of the Party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance of our great Party despite dauting challenges.
“NEC also commends members of the PDP, with particular reference to the youths and women for their courage in resisting the antics of the divisive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC), especially, its desperation to emasculate the opposition and foist a one-Party State on our nation.
“NEC expresses concern over the ill-implemented policies of the insensitive APC administration, leading to worsening insecurity, harrowing economic hardship, soaring unemployment rate, high cost of food and other necessities of life with pervading misery and despondency across the country.
“NEC expresses serious apprehensions over the spate of acts of terrorism and violence including the escalated cases of mindless killings, mass abduction of innocent Nigerians and marauding of communities in various parts of the country.
“NEC condemns the insensitivity, nonchalance, incompetence and arrogance in failure of the APC administration which continues to conduct itself in a manner that shows that it has no iota of interest or commitment towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.
