PDP Governors Affirm Support For Minimum Wage Increase

PDP Governors Affirm Support For Minimum Wage Increase

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces fresh uncertainty over its much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, as divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) resurface. Party insiders reveal that internal disputes, particularly over the tenure of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, threaten to derail the gathering.

Governors’ Peace Efforts Falter
Earlier disputes within the NWC led to the suspension of Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and other members. While interventions by PDP governors temporarily restored calm and reversed the suspensions, recent events suggest that the fragile peace may not hold.

At a meeting in Jos, Plateau State, PDP governors, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, urged the NWC to schedule the NEC meeting for February 2025. Mohammed emphasized the urgency of resolving leadership and litigation issues, stating, “The NWC must call the NEC meeting by the first week of February to allow consultations with critical stakeholders and address the party’s existential challenges.”

Although the 98th NEC meeting had scheduled the 99th for August 15, 2024, the meeting was repeatedly postponed, eventually indefinitely, until governors intervened.

Renewed Conflicts Over Leadership
Tensions have reignited over the position of the national secretary, with Damagum and embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu accusing Ologunagba of unilateral actions. Ologunagba allegedly appointed Deputy National Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi as the spokesperson, a move that has further deepened divisions.

At his inaugural press conference, Abdullahi cited a court order limiting the deputy national secretary’s authority to convene meetings or perform duties without Anyanwu’s approval. “As a law-abiding party, we must respect the court order,” Abdullahi stated.

Ologunagba, however, defended his role, arguing that the party’s constitution designates the National Publicity Secretary as the authorized channel for public communication. He criticized Abdullahi’s actions, calling them “ignorant.”

Will the February NEC Meeting Proceed?
Despite the turmoil, NEC member and Deputy Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor downplayed concerns about the February meeting being derailed. “February remains the target date. These issues, while significant, are not enough to obstruct the NEC meeting. It is vital that the meeting holds, and it will,” Osadolor affirmed.

Efforts to reach Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdullahi for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of reporting