The Peoples Democratic Party has foreclosed any plan to hold its 98th National Executive Council meeting this year.
A high-ranking member of the PDP National Working Committee exclusively disclosed to Sunday PUNCH that the PDP 98th NEC meeting would be held in the first quarter of 2024.
NEC is the supreme organ of the party, which comprises the President and former presidents, all state governors in the party, serving and former principal officers of the National Assembly, all state chairmen, members of the NWC, former governors, serving and former senators, serving and former members House of Representatives and former NWC members, among others.
As contained in the PDP 2017 constitution as amended, Chapter 4, part VII, among other functions NEC is expected to “(h) Consider appeals and other matters referred to it by the zones or states of the Federation. (I) Make rules for party discipline which shall be binding on all organs and members of the party. (j) Subject to the provisions of this constitution, make party electoral regulations to govern the conduct of elections to all party offices at every level and regulate the procedure for selecting the party candidates for elective offices.”
The 97th NEC was convened by the suspended National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on September 8, 2022.
However, a very high-ranking member of the PDP NWC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the delay was due to financial constraints.
“The party wants to wait for the outcome of the governorship petition in the Supreme Court, also the festive period is around the corner. So, NEC cannot hold this year.
“NEC has financial implications on the party. It’s not just called like that. How many parties have held NEC so far,” he queried.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, a NEC member and former National Vice Chairman, South-West of the PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso, cautioned that the earlier the meeting was held, the better for the party.
Olafeso noted that the PDP NWC needed to rally stakeholders’ opinions through NEC meetings to solve party issues.
“The earlier we meet, the better because we cannot forsake the opportunity of gathering all the leaders to take a look at the very sad situation the party has found herself.
“I know for sure that everybody is anxious to see what the future holds for the party. Because now is in self-delusion. So, the meeting should have been held before now. Even at the last NEC meeting, there wasn’t much that was achieved.
The NEC members continued, “We cannot run from our past. We must discuss it, challenge it and ensure they are laid to rest before we can continue from the present to the future. I fear for the future of the party if it continues like this.”
