The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a heated dispute over the scheduling of its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, as internal divisions within the National Working Committee (NWC) continue to widen.
The faction led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has announced a postponement of the NEC meeting. However, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja’s group firmly insists that the meeting will proceed on Monday as originally planned.
In a dramatic escalation, Damagum’s faction scheduled an expanded caucus meeting for 1 p.m., while Arapaja’s group slated the NEC meeting for 2 p.m., both at the same venue.
At a press conference with eight NWC members on Sunday, Arapaja confirmed that the NEC meeting would take place on Monday, as planned. He outlined that the meeting's agenda includes updates from the zoning and convention organizing committees and emphasized that the NEC had unanimously set the date during its 99th session on May 27.
“According to Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (2017 amendment), the June 30 meeting date is binding on all party organs and members,” Arapaja asserted, stressing that no organ, group, or officer has the authority to alter the scheduled NEC meeting. He further clarified that the PDP Constitution does not recognize any “Expanded National Caucus” or provide guidelines for such a meeting.
