After much controversies, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday held its 100th National Executive Committee meeting (NEC) and reinstated Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary
Briefing newsmen 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 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 act as national secretary and to bring the issue of convention to the next NEC, which is slated for July 23.
“At that time, we will be able to convene a proper NEC where myself and Anyanwu will sign notice to fulfil regulatory requirement of INEC in convening meetings,” he said.
Damagum said that contrary to the expectations of the detractors of PDP that the meeting would end in crisis or lead to the end of the party, he said that PDP remained the only party with mechanism to solve its internal crisis.
“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 de-marketing of the party.
“If you so much love this party, I think it is now time for you to devote your energy in 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 responsibility to the party.
He said that the initial plan was to hold an expanded caucus meeting, but after few consultations, the party leaders settled for the 100th NEC meeting to discuss a single agendum, which was the next NEC.
The Chairman, Board of Trusteees of the party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, said that PDP would never die.
Wabara commended PDP NWC members for coming together once again, urging them not to allow detractors 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, 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 pedigree to lead Nigeria’.
Mohammed said that the gale of defections were 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. What you are seen in terms of conflicting press releases has 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, Sen. Seriake Dickson and former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Udom also attended the meeting.
Others were Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro; National Vice-Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; Labaran Maku, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Sunday Ude-Okoye, Sen. Ben Obi and Chief Bode George.
