The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, yesterday ended without a word on the much talked about replacement of the party's Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, an indication that he will continue to function in that position.
In an interview with newsmen after the meeting, the PDP spokesman said for now, the party is focusing on issues of reconciliation and its stability, adding that the issue of the acting national chairmanship had been "deferred to the next NEC meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for August 15, 2024".
Also speaking, the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum, Sen. Bala Mohammed, said the party is united as there was no dissension and rancour.
According to him, it was planned that the party will have an implosion. PDP is more than that, we have gone beyond all that. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality.
"There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there. But we looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem or dissension and problem among members," Mohammed said.
The well attended NEC meeting was held amid tight security as Police and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) had condone off road leading to the PDP Secretariat and diverted vehicular traffic.
It will be recalled that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had passed a vote of confidence on Damagum during its meeting on Tuesday, April 16.
A communique issued at the end of the three hours meeting commended all the organs of the party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance the party despite dauting challenges.
The communique also commended the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) in its effort towards rebranding the party and urged all party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of democracy in our country.
The document, which was read by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, however, expressed concern over it described as the ill-implemented policies of the APC administration, leading to worsening insecurity, harrowing economic hardship, soaring unemployment rate, high cost of food and other necessities of life with pervading misery and despondency across the country.
"NEC expresses serious apprehensions over the spate of acts of terrorism and violence including the escalated cases of mindless killings, mass abduction of innocent Nigerians and marauding of communities in various parts of the country.
"NEC condemns the insensitivity, nonchalance, incompetence and arrogance in failure of the APC administration which continues to conduct itself in a manner that shows that it has no iota of interest or commitment towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.
"NEC also condemns the creeping totalitarianism and tendencies towards a One-Party State which is inimical to the peace, stability and corporate existence of our nation as well as the development of Democracy and good governance in the country," it said.
The communique demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should urgently convene a special National Security Council meeting to proffer a holistic solution and measures to curb the disturbing insecurity with its attendant negative consequences on the nation.
It also called on the President to "immediately rejig his Economic Team to bring in persons of proven integrity and competence without bias and vested interest to assist in repositioning the economy.
"NEC further demands that the Federal Government should review all policies and programmes which are stifling the economy with suffocating effect on the lives of citizens; including the increase in price of fuel without cushioning measures, hike in electricity tariff, increased taxation and implementation of adverse fiscal policies," the communique added.