BY MYKE UZENDU, ABUJA
The battle for the control of the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amendment of party constitution, review of 2023 election, reconciliation of members and state congresses will dominate the agenda as the main opposition party holds its 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday after its caucus and Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Wednesday.
The party in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba reads,
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) informs all members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) that the 98th NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2024 will commence at 2pm.
“By this announcement all NEC members are expected to arrive promptly at the NEC Hall of the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja for the commencement of the meeting.
“For the purpose of accreditation, only Constitutionally Accredited members of NEC will be allowed into the meeting.
“All members of the Party should please take note and be guided accordingly”.
There are speculations that this week’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting could turn into a battle for supremacy between the former Vice President, Atiku Abubukar and the Minister of the Federal Captital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
There are further insinuations that governors elected on the platform of the party are working together to take full control of the party and move for the appointment of a new chairman for the party which has since remained vacant following the inglorious exit of Iyorchia Ayu.
According to a reliable source, the governors are basing their action on being the major financiers of the party.
However, Wike’s Camp were recently thrown into confusion as one of G-5 members and governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has pulled out of the group and working and galvanizing resources to become a rallying point among all the PDP governors.
It was learnt that the governors are positioning themselves to dictate the pace at which the meeting will go.
A source close to the secretariat of the PDP Governors forum said, “the Governors have their own plan, which will be neither Atiku nor Wike. The PDP governors would be holding their meetings as from Tuesday and Wednesday and thereafter come up with their own position, that would be different from what everyone is expecting.
“We are a party in opposition, the governors are our collegiate leaders, unlike when PDP was in power and the President is the leader of the party. So, no single person can control the party”.
It was further gathered that the meeting of the governors would draw the line in the roles they will play during the Thursday NEC meeting.
According to the source, “no matter the position or alignments of the National Working Committee, it would be difficult for them to execute any plan without the full cooperation of the governors because they bring money for the day to day running of the party.
“The governors maintain and service the party structures in the states as the leaders of the party. It would be absolutely difficult for them to remain on the sidelines and allow Atiku and Wike to control the party structures at both the states and the centre. These governors are politicians and have interests to protect. That they are governors today does not mean that they will not have political interest tomorrow.
“For instance, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has presidential ambition and this is common knowledge, therefore, he is not expected to fold his hands and allow Wike and Atiku to determine his fate.
“There are other governors who will be concluding their second term in office as governors, they have other political interests and therefore it cannot be said that Atiku and Wike would be allowed to control the structures to their exclusion. Look at what is happening in Rivers State, do you think Governor Siminilaya Fubara will just look and allow Wike to control the party in the state?.
“Already, what is happening in the state will be moved up to the national level, so, it is not fair to say that Wike and Atiku will have the control of the party”, the source said.
While the Wike-led camp is rooting for Ambassador Illiya Damagum to retain his seat as the PDP national chairman, the other camp, led by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar is pushing for the emergence of Senator Gabriel Suswam.
Both camps it was learnt, have intensified efforts to ensure their loyalists from the North Central geopolitical zone emerge as Ayu’s replacement.
One of the sources mentioned that Atiku’s camp has mobilised various independent groups affiliated with the party to write to the NWC as requested and to name Wike, former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and other party leaders affiliated with the G-5 group for discipline over alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 election.
A source close to the party leadership stated, “Atiku and Wike’s camps are working tirelessly ahead of the NEC meeting to ensure that if Ayu’s replacement is announced, it will be from their respective camps. However, PDP governors, despite their divisions, are exercising caution due to Ayu’s pending court case, which may delay the announcement.
“Nevertheless, stakeholders from the North Central are already rallying around their candidate for Ayu’s replacement. This explains why names such as former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu are being mentioned as potential replacements. However, there is no clear indication of which camp supports whom, due to the pending court case, ongoing consultation and other factors.”
The NEC meeting, scheduled for this Thursday, will be preceded by other strategic meetings starting today, including the PDP governors’ forum meeting, the PDP Caucus and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
Meanwhile, a group which identified itself as PDP Loyal Group 100 percent, has said lasting peace will elude the party if former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar does not sacrifice his 2027 Presidential ambition and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is not sanctioned for anti-party activities .
National Cordinator / Chairman of the group , Dennis Shima made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The group suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman, sacrifice his 2027 Presidential ambition and support one of his mentees for the PDP ticket while the party should use the powers conferred on NEC to sanction Wike and others whose activities have proven detrimental to the party’s stability.
He said, “We also consulted widely across Nigeria and resorted to call on PDP National Caucus, Board of Trustees BOT and most importantly NEC to do the following in accordance with the provisions of PDP Constitution (As amended 2017) without prejudices thus: “Advise, His Excellency Alh. Atiku Abubakar GCON, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999 to 2007), PDP 2019 Presidential Candidate and 2023 Presidential Candidate to stop further contest for PDP Presidential Tickets beginning from 2027. And further, request His Excellency Alh Atiku Abubakar GCON to support one of his many mentees across Nigeria to contest for PDP Presidential Tickets beginning from 2027.
“We call on, His Excellency Alh Atiku Abubakar GCON, to nominate and support, any of his many mentees from the appropriate geo-political Zone for 2027 presidential election.
“We also call on, His Excellency Alh Atiku Abubakar GCON, to appreciate God for his wealth of experience and mentorship in Nigerian democracy under PDP since 1999 to date.
“Therefore, accept this clarion call for him to be a statesman and kingmaker politically going forward. We are optimistic that, His Excellency, Alh Atiku Abubakar GCON, former Vice President of Nigeria, and two times PDP presidential candidate, is not an ingrate and will be grateful to God and PDP, for the platform provided for him, to serve Nigerians in the aforementioned capacities”.