The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP rose from its 99th National Executive Committee, NEC, without resolving the contentious National Secretaryship of the party.
This is as the party on Tuesday stepped down discussions on the contentious position till June 30.
This was disclosed by the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while reading the communique issued after the meeting in Abuja.
Damagum, however, pointed out that the NEC received the resolution of the South-East General Executive with regards to the national secretary position.
He stated that the meeting, however, agreed that the issue be considered and deliberated upon in the next NEC meeting slated for June 30.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP South-East Zonal Executive Committee had, on May 21, submitted its resolution nominating former National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, as the party’s National Secretary to replace Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
NAN also reports that PDP has been embroiled in a contentious leadership crisis. Two factions are laying claim over the rightful occupier of the office of the National Secretary.
Recall that Anyanwu and Udey-Okoye have continued to lay claim to the office of Secretary of the party.
The acting National Chairman, also informed that NEC also received and ratified the composition of the committee on the zoning of national offices. This is ahead of the party’s national convention.
He revealed out the names of members of the zoning committee, to include Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa (Chairman), Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara (Vice Chairman) and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau (Secretary).
Damagum also named members of the National Convention Committee to include Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri (Chairman), Gov. Ademola Adeleke (Vice Chairman) and Gov. Peter Mbah (Secretary).
The acting National Chairman also added that NEC thoroughly examined the state of affairs in the nation and within the party.
This is as he expressed concern over security challenges that included banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities in various parts of the country.
Damagum said the NEC also lamented the economic hardship and poverty level occasioned by hike in fuel price, increase in electricity tariff and multiple taxes.
He, therefore, called on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to take practical steps toward addressing the insecurity and economic situation of the country.
The acting National Chairman also restates the party’s belief in democracy, rule of law and the supremacy of the will of the people. As expressed through their free and unhindered democratic participation in multi-party politics and governance.
He pointed out that the successful convening of the NEC meeting was a clear demonstration of the party’s unity and focus, in spite challenges.
Damagum reassured Nigerians that PDP remained strong, resilient, united and determined now more than ever before in leading the charge to rescue NIgeria.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the acting National Chairman commended the party leaders for holding the meeting in spite all the changes.
He noted that the meeting had been postponed over times due to so many reasons.
He said, “Even now, there are issues that ought to have culminated into moving the meeting. But we said that this NEC should hold, no matter how.
Damagum noted that about three more NEC meetings would still be held before the party’s national convention.
This, he said, is to enable it to sort out most of the contentious issues.
“I want to also reiterate that the beauty of PDP is that we have always had an internal mechanism to surmount whatever obstacle and to solve its problem.
“People are outside there waiting for this opportunity to see whether we are able to surmount all these problems that are self-inflicted. And somehow engineered from some quarters but with the help of God, we’ll continue to overcome.
“They will put obstacles and we will surmount them until when we show them the way out,” he said.
source: NAN