- Party Cites Funeral Of Akwa-Ibom Gov’s Wife
By Kolawole Ojebisi
There may not be a resolution to the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) very soon as the party has postponed its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting indefinitely.
This latest development made it the third time the party will be postponing the meeting.
Recall that at the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee, the conduct of ward and state congresses.
They also instructed the North Central Caucus to consult on the ongoing issue of replacing the acting National Chairman with a permanent National Chairman.
The 98th NEC also set August 15 for the 99th NEC meeting, which was first postponed to October 24, 2024, and then rescheduled to November 28, 2024, now indefinitely postponed.
Announcing further postponement of the NEC meeting on Thursday, Anyanwu said, “Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee may recall that the NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, was rescheduled to hold on Thursday, November 28, 2024, after an extensive meeting of leaders, critical stakeholder and relevant organs of the party held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
“However, at its meeting of Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the attention of the National Working Committee was drawn to the programme of events of the funeral ceremony of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, which events coincide with the scheduled dates of activities for the 99th NEC meeting.
“After due consideration, the NWC, recognising the need for party leaders to commiserate with Governor Umo Eno and also participate in the funeral, hereby wishes to notify distinguished members of NEC of our party that the 99th NEC meeting, earlier scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, will now be held on a date that will be communicated to members in due course.
“All NEC members should please note the change of date and be guided accordingly. The NWC sincerely regrets the inconveniences this change of date will cause distinguished members of NEC.”
But a high-ranking member of the NWC, who wished to remain anonymous due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, described the postponement as a deliberate strategy to buy time.
The NWC member noted that while the supposed reason could not be denied or faulted, there is more to the postponement than meets the eye.
He said, “While the postponement is genuine due to the funeral, it is also seen as a calculated tactic to buy more time. If that were not the case, most attendees of both events typically travel by air, so there’s no real need to shift the NEC meeting.
“Those supporting Damagum have effectively taken control of the party and have put plans in place to ensure he completes the term of Senator Iyorchia Ayu. That is why they made this public quickly, as the governors scheduled to meet in Jos on Saturday won’t be able to act otherwise.”
The PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, with the purported support of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, had made arrangements to stay in his position.
Since taking over as acting National Chairman after Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced mounting criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing crisis within the PDP, with more voices calling for his resignation.
