PDP Governors Call for Urgent Meeting to Address Party Crisis: A Closer Look at the Tensions
In light of recent turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s elected governors have summoned an emergency meeting this Friday in Asaba, Delta State.
This meeting comes on the heels of chaotic scenes at the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) gathering in Abuja, where tensions reached a boiling point after supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu attacked former Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye.
The Asaba meeting is intended to address the internal struggles currently plaguing the PDP. The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, highlighted that the crisis is being exacerbated by party leaders who are supposed to unite the group, but instead are fueling the division.
In a statement made during a BoT meeting in Abuja, Damagum expressed his commitment to resolving the issues and ensuring that a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting occurs in February, as requested by the party’s governors and other leaders.
Crisis Deepens as BoT Members Protest Assault on Ude-Okoye
A senior member of the National Working Committee (NWC), who requested anonymity, revealed that the BoT members were outraged by the assault on Ude-Okoye, allegedly orchestrated by supporters of Anyanwu.
This incident took place during the BoT meeting and added to the already growing list of issues within the party.
The meeting, convened by the PDP Governors Forum under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, will address several pressing matters.
These include the need for an NEC meeting, preparations for upcoming zonal congresses, the ongoing National Secretary crisis, and a report on the party’s status from Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
There is also a growing concern regarding the state of the nation and how it relates to the party’s future.
Ongoing Disputes and Internal Divisions
The PDP has been embroiled in internal strife since the 2023 elections, with many party members blaming Damagum, a close ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, for the current turmoil.
The National Working Committee, BoT, and various state chapters are divided, with factions aligning with different leaders, including Wike and Bauchi’s governor.
Damagum, speaking on the party’s internal crisis, expressed his disappointment, stating that some members of the BoT were complicit in the current turmoil.
He urged party leaders to put aside personal ambitions for the greater good of the PDP. He also warned against any actions that might disrupt the ongoing zonal congress processes, emphasizing the importance of unity in order to build a strong, credible party capable of challenging the ruling government.
BoT Chairman Calls for Unity Amidst Crisis
BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara expressed deep frustration over the ongoing conflicts within the PDP. He urged party leaders to prioritize the party’s survival over personal interests and ambitions.
Wabara stressed the importance of convening the NEC meeting in February 2025 to address these issues and to reaffirm the party’s commitment to unity and discipline.
The BoT meeting in Abuja had already been marked by disorder, with a confrontation erupting between Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu’s supporters.
Despite the chaos, the BoT leaders managed to restore order, with Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu both recognized as legitimate National Secretaries pending the resolution of their legal disputes.
PDP Leaders Face Growing Criticism
The crisis within the PDP has drawn criticism not only from party members but also from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC has mocked the PDP’s leadership issues, labeling them as a “drama” and a demonstration of the party’s inability to manage internal affairs.
As the situation continues to unfold, the PDP’s governors are focusing on finding a resolution, with the Asaba meeting offering a potential path forward.
The party must address its leadership challenges if it hopes to regain the trust of Nigerians and become a viable opposition force in the years ahead.
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