A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the much‑anticipated meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Deputy Youth Leader and NEC member Timothy Osadolor told The … on Monday that, although the party plans to hold a NEC meeting, a date has not yet been fixed.
The first NEC meeting under the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, is unlikely to occur before April 17, the date set for the hearing on the suit concerning the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov ward in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. After his suspension, he stepped aside in obedience to a court order and is now seeking to vacate the order issued by Justice Wilfred of the Benue State High Court in Makurdi.
Damagum, who assumed the acting chairmanship in line with Section 45(2) of the PDP Constitution, quickly reversed one of the controversial decisions made by the Ayu‑led National Working Committee. He overturned the referral of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee and the suspension of party stalwarts such as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Pius Anyim and the governors of Katsina and Ekiti states, Ibrahim Shema and Ayo Fayose, respectively.
Although Damagum denied knowledge of an imminent NEC meeting, telling our reporter, “I am just hearing this from you,” a credible party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that discussions are ongoing but no date has been set. “The NEC is a major event; party leaders and stakeholders travel from across the country. Adequate preparation is essential, otherwise invitations could be sent only to discover the party is not ready. Talks are in progress and a date will be announced as soon as possible,” the source said. “The new leadership seems eager, but it may have been advised to tread carefully. The substantive National Chairman did not resign; he stepped aside, and his suspension is before the court. He still has loyalists who are vocal in the media. These and related issues are why a date has not yet been chosen.”
NEC member Timothy Osadolor added, “It is natural for a NEC meeting to be convened now, but there are procedures. You can’t hold a meeting without preparations, security, and so on. Once the party leadership agrees on these matters, a date will be communicated and notice issued. For now, it is still at the discussion level; no tentative date has been fixed.”
Attempts to reach National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and his deputy Ibrahim Abdullahi were unsuccessful; neither answered calls nor responded to WhatsApp messages.
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