The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the party?s acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, have raised concerns over external forces attempting to manipulate the party?s leadership, warning that such interference threatens its unity, focus, and direction.

Speaking at a PDP Board of Trustees meeting at the party?s national secretariat on Thursday?just before tensions escalated?they expressed deep concern over the party?s current state.

They emphasised the need for stability and affirmed that the PDP National Executive Council (NEC), the party?s highest decision-making body, should convene in February to address pressing issues.

Wabara said: ?This meeting comes at a time when the unity, focus direction and ideals of our great Party are being tested in ways that call for reflection and decisive action.

?Primarily, let me express my profound disappointment over the crises currently rocking the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC); as elder statesmen and women, leaders who hold the trust of the generality of our party members and the public, it is disheartening that these issues have not been resolved.

?The failure to resolve these internal conflicts undermines the strength and credibility of our party; it is therefore imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and places the survival and progress of our great party above all other considerations.

?In the light of these challenges, I must emphasize the urgent need for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting; I again urge the NWC to honour its words and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2025.

?It is pertinent to stress that party members across the country are in earnest expectation that the NEC meeting will be held this February,? Wabara stated, adding that PDP remains the only hope for Nigerians.

In his speech, Damagum lamented that some highly influential personalities whom partymen look up to as leaders are tormenting crises within the party leadership, with various mischief that include inviting members of the PDP National Working Committee to secret meetings without informing him.

?I want to say this with the highest sense of responsibility, part of this crisis that you see today within the NWC, is propelled by our leaders who are supposed to unite us; it is very unfortunate and I would say it the way it is.

?I?ll be sitting down as the chairman only to see or hear about my members in PDP NWC being called by certain leaders to visit certain places, for secret meetings without my knowledge; each one of you, if you are the chairman, will find this difficult and I want to use this opportunity to caution us, caution our leaders.

?You may have ambition, but you don?t ride on a dead horse to reach your destination: if you create crisis simply to further you?re ambition, you may get what you want, but your dream will not be realized, because by that time, you have injured the horse you are going to ride to that destination,? Damagum said.

Pointing out that the PDP has successfully concluded state congresses in about 29 states, Damagum expressed concerns that the unna?ed leaders could try to infuse some m8schief?into the Zonal party congresses being planned by the PDP.

?Even at that, I enjoin our leaders to also be mindful of doing anything that can mar these congresses; It?s very important to sound this note because whatever we do, it is the structure you are building to hold what you have at your hand,? he added.

Speaking further, Damagum acknowledged that some of them are complicit part of the party?s problems, adding that arrangements will be made towards convening the PDP NEC meeting in February.

?As the conscience of this party, some of us are also complicit; we should look inwards, search our conscience.

?This party is dear to all of us, it is the only thing we have, the hope of Nigerians today is on this party, so we should sheath our swords, and work towards uniting ourselves so that we?ll have a credible vehicle that can challenge what is bedeviling us.

?At the last meeting we had with the governor, we all agreed we?ll have an NEC meeting; I want to assure you that we?ll do everything possible to have this NEC meeting this February,? Damagum pledged.

PDP leaders at the BoT meeting on Thursday include former PDP Caretaker Chairman and Secretary of BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Senator Ben Obi, Chairman of PDP Reconciliation Committee, Col Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd), former Niger state governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu while those who sent apologies for their absence included Senator David Mark, Chairman of PDP Governors? Forum, Gov Bala Mohammed, ex-governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Dankwamb9 and Professor Jerry Gana. (The Nation)

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