A group of former Ex-officio members of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on the party’s stakeholders to ensure the National Executive Committee meeting holds on October 24, 2024, as planned.
The call was made in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by representatives from the six geo-political zones. The signatories expressed concern over recent developments within the party’s leadership that could undermine its foundation.
According to the statement, the party’s founding fathers aimed to promote democratic tenets and good governance for Nigerians, and this objective remains unchanged.
The group emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution, which requires NEC meetings to be held at least quarterly, according to Nigerian Tribune.
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Muhammed, was commended for its efforts in resolving the party’s crisis.
The signatories reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the party’s constitution and promoting democratic principles.
They urged the party leadership to address grievances and ensure the scheduled NEC meeting holds, providing an opportunity for aggrieved members to be heard. This move is seen as an attempt to strengthen the party’s internal dynamics ahead of future elections.
The NEC meeting is crucial in addressing the party’s internal issues and charting a course for its future. The outcome of this meeting may significantly impact the PDP’s preparedness for upcoming polls.
The statement reads: “We have viewed with utter dismay and concern the dangerous turn of events within the top echelon of our party in the recent times. These events, have the tendency to shake the very foundation of our party.
“We recall the primary aim of the founding fathers of our great party was to pursue democratic tenets and good governance for teeming Nigerians, and that has not changed.
“As an integral part of NEC of our great party, and one of its last bastions with the grassroots, who believe in the resurgence of our party’s popularity, we have critically brainstormed and dispassionately resolved, as a matter of urgency to call on the leadership of the party to ensure that the NEC meeting scheduled for the 24th, October 2024 holds.
“This will afford members who are aggrieved the opportunity to be heard and their issues addressed.
“Our Party’s Constitution is explicit on the importance of NEC in its provision that it shall hold at least once every quarter, failing which two-thirds of members may exercise its power in summoning an emergency NEC meeting.
“It is regrettable that our party has not adhered to the provisions of its own constitution, which would have nipped in the bud many unresolved issues.
“We profoundly commend the efforts and interventions of the PDP Governors Forum, ably led by His Excellency, Senator Bala Muhammed, CON, Governor of Bauchi State in its determination to resolve the party’s crisis and return it to the path of greatness.
” Through the firm and sterling leadership qualities of His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed CON, PDP Governors’ Forum has not only provided the needed direction but has indeed lived up to expectation.
“We reiterate our position to stand for the immediate return of our party to upholding the supremacy of its constitution, as Nigerians still believe that PDP is the only viable alternative to the failed Tinubu-led APC administration.”