PDP Postpones NEC Meeting Amid Leadership Crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly decided to postpone its much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 13. According to sources within the party, the meeting may now be held in May as leaders struggle to resolve ongoing leadership disputes.

The NEC meeting was initially planned to address the internal crisis that has plagued the PDP, particularly the controversial tenure of Ambassador Umar Damagum as acting national chairman. However, with no consensus on resolving these issues, the party has opted to delay the meeting once again, raising further concerns about its stability.

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Leadership Tensions and Chairmanship Dispute

The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions since it lost power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. Fresh tensions have emerged over the party’s leadership structure, particularly the continued stay of Damagum, who assumed the acting chairman position following the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu in 2023.

Ayu, originally from the North Central region, was suspended and later stepped down after a leadership crisis in Benue State. While the PDP had zoned the national chairman position to the North Central, Damagum, who hails from the North East, has remained in office. This has caused growing dissatisfaction among party members, who argue that the party should abide by its zoning arrangement.

In addition to the chairmanship dispute, the PDP is also facing a legal battle over the national secretary position. A court ruling affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful national secretary, yet Senator Samuel Anyanwu continues to occupy the position. Although the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) recently upheld Ude-Okoye’s appointment in line with the court’s decision, the controversy remains unresolved.

PDP Denies Plans for National Convention

Despite speculations about a possible national convention, Anyanwu clarified on Friday that the party is currently focused on holding the NEC meeting in May.

“We are not going to have our national convention for now, but what we are going to have is a NEC meeting, and I know that the meeting will be held in May,” he stated.

Former PDP spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan emphasized that resolving the leadership crisis hinges on Damagum stepping down for a new chairman from the North Central zone. He also hinted at the possibility of a quick national convention to elect Ayu’s successor, ensuring that a newly formed National Working Committee (NWC) takes over by December.

“I’m also aware that there are some moves or plans to have a quick national convention where a successor (to Ayu) would be elected so that by December, a new national working committee would resume. When that is done, the matter would have been resolved,” Ologbondiyan said.

Party Yet to Confirm Official Date for NEC Meeting

Meanwhile, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba declined to confirm or deny the reported postponement, stating that the party would officially communicate its decisions at the appropriate time.

“Did you get your information from the official quarters of the party? The PDP has a way of communicating its plans to the people. There is a process for doing that. It’s a big issue, and you know that we have a process of communicating such,” he said.

As the PDP continues to struggle with its leadership crisis, party members and political observers remain concerned about its future direction. With the 2027 general elections approaching, resolving these internal conflicts will be critical in determining the party’s chances of regaining national relevance.