By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dispelled swirling speculations of internal discord, guaranteeing that the party will go ahead with its national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat, declared that no threats will derail the national convention.
He asserted: “Let me be clear, the PDP convention will hold as planned. Every chapter is involved, our leaders across the country are working together, and preparations are on track. There is no threat to the process.
“Our members should be assured that everything that needs to be done is being done and in a very seamless way.
“We are moving all over the country towards Ibadan. Indeed, the preparatory train is already in Ibadan,” he said.
Ologunagba also dismissed speculation about internal disagreements within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) members, following separate conflicting letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the party’s state congress in Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
He said that what some perceived as conflict was merely democracy in action, noting that the PDP is a party that debates and resolves issues through its constitution.
He continued: “The national chairman provides overall leadership and can summon meetings, while the national secretary carries out administrative duties such as issuing notices and keeping records.
“The secretary cannot unilaterally call meetings or release statements without approval. Some of the confusion seen in public stems from either ignorance or deliberate mischief,” he said.
Recall that the PDP had been witnessing an escalating tension over the national convention.
The convention had divided the PDP leadership and a group led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
This comes after Wike’s camp demanded that six conditions be met for the convention to proceed peacefully.
These include fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states, recognition of the South-South Zonal Congress outcome, and adherence to a Supreme Court ruling reinstating Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The group warned that failure to comply would render the convention “invalid”.
However, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, condemned the position of Wike and his group.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee, Mohammed said: ‘’We believe we have done it before, and we believe we will do it very well. The Governors are with you, members of this party, and, of course, members of this important committee.
‘’We are with the NWC. We appreciate the sacrifice they are making. And, of course, we are men who have brought consensus. We are on the way forward. We certainly can’t wait. The time has come when we must flex our muscles.
