The 79th meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a committee chaired by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, to interface with the parties fighting over the office of the National Secretary and report back to the board in a couple of weeks.
In a 10 points communique issued at the end of its BoT meeting held at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital and read by the BoT chairman, Senator Adolphous Wabara they resolved as follows:
1. The BoT expresses serious concerns over the unresolved challenges facing the Party especially as related to the disagreements within the National Working Committee (NWC).
2. The BoT calls on the members of the NWC, all organs, leaders and critical stakeholders of our Party across board to rise above personal, group or sectional interests and place the stability, unity, sustenance and progress of our Party and its ideals above all other considerations.
3. In the effort to resolve the current crisis over the position of the National Secretary of the Party, which is presently before the Courts, the BoT has set up a committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN to interface with the parties, study the situation and report to the Board for further action.
4. The Acting National Chairman assured the BoT that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold as scheduled in February 2025 to address all pertinent issues and reaffirm our shared commitment to the unity, discipline, and ideals that bind us together as members of the PDP.
5. On the national front, the BoT expresses concerns over the worsening economic and security situation, social dislocation and total sense of hopelessness in the country due to the ill-conceived and ill-implemented polices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
6. The BoT decries the insensitivity of the APC administration towards Nigerians as evident in the unjustified multiple taxes and failure to stem the increase in the pump price of fuel, electricity tariffs and telecommunication charges with crippling effect on the productive sector and unbearable rise in cost of living in the country.
7. The BoT insists that the APC administration lacks the required patriotism, competence as well as a proficient, transparent and innovative governance team to effectively manage the nation’s abundant human and natural resources to benefit our citizens
8. The BoT demands that the APC administration immediately rescind all its anti-people policies and take urgent steps to stimulate the productive sector, create jobs and revamp the ailing economy.
9. The BoT condoles with the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde over the death of his elder brother as well as the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed over the death of his step mother.
10. The BoT reassures all Party members and Nigerians that the PDP remains a strong, united and cohesive political Party committed to the sustenance of democracy and wellbeing of Nigerians at all times.
Party Crisis
Earlier while welcoming members to the board meeting, Senator Wabara said the board is saddened by the continued infighting within the National Working Committee, which is tearing the party apart.
Wabara said the meeting comes at a time when the unity, focus, direction and ideals of the PDP are being tested in ways that call for reflection and decisive action.
Wabara expressed disappointment over the crisis currently rocking the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC).
“As elder statesmen and women; leaders who hold the trust of the generality of our party members and the public, it is disheartening that these issues have not been resolved. The failure to resolve these internal conflicts undermines the strength and credibility of our party. It is therefore imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and places the survival and progress of our great party above all other considerations” he said.
NEC meeting
Senator Adolphous Wabara stated the urgency for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to be held without delay.
“I again urge the NWC to honour its words and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2025. It is pertinent to stress that party members across the country are in earnest expectation that the NEC meeting will hold this February”.
“The NEC remains the highest decision-making body of our party, and it is crucial that we convene without further delay to address these pressing concerns. The NEC meeting will serve as a platform to reaffirm our shared commitment to the unity, discipline, and ideals that bind us together as members of the PDP” he added.
Zonal Congresses
Senator Wabara called for the election of credible leaders during the Zonal Congresses at every level of the party’s structure.
According to him “These leaders will serve as the face and voice of the PDP, and it is essential that they possess the vision, integrity, and capacity to steer the affairs of the party effectively. Let us ensure that the processes are free, fair, and transparent, so that the outcome reflects the collective will of our members”.
Rallying call
The BoT Chairman reiterated that the PDP remains the hope of Nigerians.
He called on every member of the PDP to set aside personal differences and work collectively to strengthen the party so that it emerges stronger, more united, and ready to fulfill their historic mission of leading Nigeria to a brighter future.
While thanking members for their continued dedication and commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Wabara charged them to seize the moment to reaffirm their “unity and resolve to restore the PDP to its rightful place as the party of the people and for the people”.
The PDP has been engulfed in a number of internal crises that are diverting it’s attention and causing discontent among members leading to defections to other political parties especially the ruling APC
