From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

There was confusion in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, over the meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) and national caucus, scheduled for today.

This is as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) remain divided on whether the 100th NEC would  hold today or it will be a meeting of the expanded caucus as announced by the Acting  National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Incidentally, both meetings are scheduled for the same time at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

Ahead of the D-Day, members of the NWC, yesterday, held parallel meetings. While those led by Damagum said there would be a meeting of the expanded caucus, the other group led by the Deputy National Chairman, (South), Taofeek Arapaja, insisted the 100th NEC meeting would hold.

The NWC group led by  Damagum met at the PDP National Secretariat earlier, yesterday afternoon.  The meeting, which was presided over by Damagum, Daily Sun, gathered was attended by the National  Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser, Kamaludeen Ajibade and four other NWC members.

After the meeting, Anyanwu, issued a notice, inviting party members to a meeting of the expanded national Caucus.

The meeting billed to hold at the Wadata Plaza, today by 2pm is expected to be attended by by Statutory Members of National Caucus,  Deputy National Officers,  BoT Members, all state chairmen, all members of PDP NASS Caucus, and  all former NWC members, who are still  members of the party.

Others invited are National Ex-Officio members, all PDP former governors, who are still in the party and  all immediate past gubernatorial candidates, who are still in the party.

However, at about 7.57 pm, another group of NWC members led by Arapaja arrived at the national secretariat for their own meeting.

Other members of the group included National Vice chairman (South), Ali Odefa; National Vice (South South), Emmanuel Ogidi; National Woman leader,  Amina Darasimi, Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshedo; National Auditor Okechukwu Obiechina; National  Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; National  Financial Secretary, Woyengikuro Daniel, and National  Vice chairman, (South West), Ajisafe Toyese.

Arapaja, while briefing journalists, said the NEC meeting would go on as scheduled by the 99th NEC. He explained that there is no provision for expanded caucus in the rules of the party.

He said : “For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee (NWC) assures all Party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.

“The 100th NEC meeting will, among other things, receive updates on the activities of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organising Committee.

“As you are aware, the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025.

“By virtue of Section 31(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) the Monday, 30th June, 2025 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all Organs and members, and as such no Organ, group or officer of the Party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting.

“Contrary to a purported Notice being circulated in the social media suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been converted to a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, the NWC states in clear terms that the said Notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.

“The NWC emphasizes that there is no provision whatsoever for an “Expanded National Caucus” in the Constitution of the PDP or any Guideline of the Party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 30 of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing for a National Caucus for the Party with its composition, functions and meetings clearly spelt out, leaving no room for any form of expansion.

“The suggestion, proposal or announcement for a ‘Special Expanded National Caucus meeting’ is therefore unconstitutional and cannot take any decision for the PDP being not a recognized Organ or Body in the PDP.”