The upcoming schedule for the Peoples Democratic Party includes the National Caucus meeting on Wednesday, April 17, along with the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee meetings on Thursday, April 18.
The NEC serves as the party’s highest body, consisting of various party members such as state governors, the President, former presidents, principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairmen, NWC members, former governors, senators, house of representatives members, and former NWC members, among others.
As outlined in the amended 2017 PDP constitution, Section 4, Part VIII specifies that “The National Executive Committee shall gather at least once every quarter as initiated by the National Party Chairman or by a request from two-thirds of its members, who must inform the Chairman at least seven days prior to the meeting. An emergency session may be called by the National Chairman based on the agenda and prevailing circumstances.”
The most recent PDP NEC meeting, the 97th, was called by the now-suspended National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on September 22, 2022.
Subsequently, Segun Sowunmi, a gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State during the 2023 elections, took legal action against the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other NWC members for their failure to convene the 98th NEC meeting.
Represented by a legal team led by Anderson Asemota, Sowunmi filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/70/2024) seeking Damagum’s removal from office for alleged neglect of duties.
In an ongoing court case, he seeks to prevent the defendants from carrying out their duties until the overdue meeting is held.
Not long ago, the PDP Governors Forum, under Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s leadership, called on the NWC to promptly organize meetings for the party’s various organs, from the Caucus to the NEC.
According to a statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, members are advised to mark their calendars for the upcoming scheduled events.
The statement mentioned, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has fixed the 98th National Executive Committee meeting for Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“The BoT meeting is set for the same date and venue, starting at 10:00 am, with the NEC meeting following at 2:00 pm.
“Furthermore, the National Caucus meeting is slated for Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
“All NEC, BoT, and National Caucus members are urged by the NWC to mark these dates for their attendance.”