The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors and other stakeholders have postponed the October 24 National Executive Committee (NEC).
Naija News reports that the main opposition party stakeholders have fixed November 28 for its NEC meeting.
The decision to postpone the NEC meeting was reached after about four hours of meeting on Tuesday night.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, said the decision was to allow the party prosecute the Ondo Governorship election slated for November 16.
He said: “Rising from the consultative meeting of the various organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party resolved as follows:
“The National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting originally slated for October 24, 2024, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024.
“The postponement is to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial election of November 16, 2024 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the floundering All Progressive Congress, APC, government in the state.
“Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory to taking over in 2027.
“The following organs of the party attended the meeting:
The PDP Governors’ Forum
The Board of Trustees
National Working Committee (NWC)
National Assembly Leadership of the PDP Caucus and
Forum of Former Governors of the party”
Naija News had earlier reported a growing movement to extend Damagum’s tenure beyond the scheduled NEC meeting, despite a prior consensus in Akure last week where party governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) agreed that Damagum should relinquish his post during the forthcoming gathering.
This agreement was initially seen as a step towards quelling ongoing discord within the party, sparked by its loss in the 2023 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, according to sources close to the party who spoke with Daily Trust, there is now a concerted effort by certain factions within the PDP, led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to postpone Damagum’s resignation.
The proposed plan would allow Damagum to step down voluntarily after the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, providing what supporters call a “soft landing” for the acting chairman.
This new strategy appears to be gaining momentum among Damagum’s loyalists, fueled by the North Central zone’s perceived delay in nominating a successor