Abuja: After much controversies, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, June 30, held its 100th National Executive Committee meeting (NEC) and reinstated Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said that NEC also fixed its next meeting for July 23.
“As you can see, we just rose from our 100th NEC meeting. This meeting was a one-agenda meeting, which was to discuss the outcome of our interaction with INEC as regards the national secretary.
“We all combined efforts. We were all together, and we all agreed that Sen. Anyanwu will continue to serve as national secretary and bring the issue of the convention to the next NEC, which is slated for July 23.
“At that time, we will be able to convene a proper NEC where I will sign the notice to fulfil the regulatory requirement of INEC in convening meetings,” he said.
Damagum stated that contrary to the expectations of PDP’s detractors that the meeting would end in crisis or lead to the party’s demise, PDP remained the only party with a mechanism to resolve its internal situation.
“You can see that all our governors attended the meeting; all members of NWC are on the same page. You will not be seeing all these press releases and counter press releases,” he said.
Speaking earlier at the commencement of the meeting, Damagum had advised PDP leaders and members to stop arbitrary demarketing of the party.
“If you so much love this party, it is now time for you to devote your energy to propagating the beauty of the party.
“Stop demarketing the party unless you are one of those that have been contracted to come and destroy our party. I want to say it clearly here: enough is enough,” he warned.
The acting national Chairman reminded PDP leaders that they have a responsibility to the party.
He said that the initial plan was to hold an expanded caucus meeting, but after a few consultations, the party leaders settled on the 100th NEC meeting to discuss a single agenda item, which was the next NEC.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, said that the PDP would never die.
Wabara commended PDP NWC members for coming together once again, urging them not to let detractors divide them again. “What is happening here today will shock so many people. I’m sure they will start planning again to bring problems.
“NWCs don’t allow a crack anymore because once they have seen us now coming together, they will say: ‘What happened?'” he said.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, described the ability of the party to hold the 100th NEC meeting as a ‘miracle of PDP, a party with a pedigree to lead Nigeria.’
Mohammed said that the gale of defections was all created to distract the party, adding, however, that the party leaders remained steadfast.
“I must tell the world that the NWC has collapsed all differences, all wrangling. The conflicting press releases you have seen have stopped. You will not see them again. We are all on the same page.
“No excuse to for coalition. No excuse to convene any stakeholders’ meeting other than that of the NWC,” he said.
Mohammed assured the party that the forum would work with the NWC and other stakeholders to ensure it holds its NEC meeting.
In attendance at the meeting were Govs. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Umaru Fintri (Adamawa) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa).
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former PDP Secretary Prof. Jerry Gana, BoT Secretary Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, former Governor of Bayelsa State Sen. Seriake Dickson, and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Emmanuel Udom also attended the meeting.
Others included Senate Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro and National Vice-Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Labaran Maku, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Sunday Ude-Okoye, Sen. Ben Obi and Chief Bode George.