From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), yesterday, demanded a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) over the political crisis in Rivers and other pressing party issues.
The BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, while speaking at a meeting of the Board, in Abuja, expressed concerns over the outcome of the PDP congresses in some states, noting that there was the need to address complaints from the exercise.
Consequently, he charged the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the NEC meeting is held on October 24 as scheduled.
While suing for peace in the party, he emphasised that the future of the party and the country lies in the ability of the members of the party to unite. He noted that this is because the PDP remains a beacon of hope for the country.
“The Board of Trustees has also received reports that in some states, the congresses were not conducted in full compliance with the guidelines of our great party. In some instances, the congresses did not even hold as scheduled.
“These discrepancies are of serious concern and it is essential that we address them immediately. Therefore, we are calling on the National Working Committee to ensure that these issues are swiftly resolved.
“It is crucial that any deviation from the PDP guidelines are corrected, and where congresses did not hold, new dates should be scheduled to ensure that all party members have a fair and transparent opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
“While we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge that the strength of our party lies in our ability to resolve internal conflicts. As we know, a house divided against itself cannot stand, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that any issue or dispute within the party is addressed with diplomacy, sacrifice, patience and an unwavering commitment to unity,” Wabara stated.
Furthermore, the BoT chairman stated that the board recently met with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed and the National Assembly caucus of the party, as part of efforts to resolve the issues in the party.
According to him, “These discussions were aimed at addressing the concerns within the party and fostering unity among leadership. Once again, full details of these meetings will be shared during the executive session with the BoT members as part of our efforts to resolve pressing issues within the party.
“I believe it is imperative, and I believe I’m speaking the minds of my colleagues in the board that we convene a meeting of the National Executive Council Committee (NEC) as scheduled for October 24 this year.
“This will allow us to address pressing matters and strategise on the way forward for the PDP, especially as we gear up to future elections and prepare to strengthen our internal structures.
However, as we continue on this journey, let us remember that the future of our party and indeed, our country depends on the unity, integrity and hard work of each of us.”
Meanwhile, the PDP BoT, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting, expressed concerns over the increasing hardship in the country and called on the Federal Government to review its policies, as well as reduce the price of fuel in the country.
The communique read: “The BoT expresses serious concerns over the worsening economic hardship, acute food crisis and general sense of misery, despondency, uncertainty and hopelessness in the country occasioned by the anti-people policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“The BoT demands that the APC administration immediately reviews its policies and takes immediate steps to ensure reduction in the price of fuel, makes key investments towards food production, revamps our manufacturing sector to stimulate employment opportunities and mitigates the suffering of Nigerians.
“The BoT in very strong terms condemns and rejects the brazen rigging of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State by the APC in connivance with the INEC and some compromised police operatives.
“The BoT insists that from the votes cast at the polling units, it is clear that the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo won the election. The PDP will take every legitimate step to ensure the recovery of the mandate freely given to our party by the people of Edo State.
“The BoT alerts Nigerians that the electoral manipulation of the Edo State governorship election is part of the sinister plot by the APC to foist a one-party system and totalitarian rule on our country which must be firmly resisted.
“The BoT urges Nigerians to resist any plan by the APC to rig the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State. The PDP is in a good position to win the election and we must not allow anybody to manipulate the election against our party.”
It added: “The BoT expresses concern over the state of affairs of the party in Rivers State and urges that efforts must be intensified to find a lasting solution to the issues. The NWC should urgently summon a meeting consisting of the NWC, PDP Governors’ Forum, leadership of the PDP National Assembly Caucus and BoT Special Committee to resolve the issues.
“The BoT has received the report of the conduct of congresses in various states of the federation and urged that all areas of concerns should be addressed.
“The BoT charges all organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP across board to remain united and committed, especially recognising that the PDP is the only beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians. The PDP must, therefore, remain strong, united and true to the principles upon which it was founded.
“The BoT highlighted the importance of convening the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as already scheduled for October 24, 2024, to allow the party address pressing matters and strategies on the way forward.”