PDP Postpones NEC Meeting Over 2023 Timetable, Manifesto Drafting Committee

The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, postponed the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to March 16.

The PDP NEC meeting was originally slated for today, March 15.

Sources gathered that the NEC meeting was postponed over concerns raised by members of the party’s National Caucus on the PDP timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 elections and the manifesto drafting committee.

Briefing journalists at the end of the National Caucus meeting late on Monday night, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said, “the National Caucus meeting is adjourned to continue on Wednesday”.

He added that “The Board of Trustees (BoT) Meeting and NEC meeting will now be held on Wednesday, March 16”.

A credible source gathered that the major items on the agenda of the PDP National Caucus meeting were “timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 elections, the manifesto drafting committee and guidelines for primary elections”.

According to the source, all efforts to discuss those issues proved abortive, as stakeholders requested at least a day to study the documents.

Earlier in their opening remark, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu urged party stakeholders to bury their differences.

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Tambuwal, who doubles as Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, stated this while addressing the National Caucus of the party in Abuja on Monday.

He said, “I congratulate members of our party for giving hope once again to the great people of this country. In the face of despondency, in the face of hopelessness, there are still rays of hope to turn PDP into the ruling party in Nigeria.

“The bye-elections have signalled what we shall expect to the glory of God in a matter of a few months.

“On this note, I appeal that we all, as leaders and members of this great party, must bury our differences and work together harmoniously. We must show the right signal to Nigerians, that yes, we are united and ready to rescue this country”.

On his part, Ayu also charged members of the party to resolve all issues through the party’s internal mechanism.

The former Senate President said, “Nigerians are happy to see that this party is the best organised party in this country”.

He added that “As the Electoral Act was signed and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came up with their timetable, the National Working Committee (NWC) has been working round the clock. Because there are timelines that we must make sure that we keep.

“We are determined that we will keep strictly to the guidelines despite the short time that is available to us. We will keep to this timeline.

“We hope that the other party will continue to disintegrate. We have always told Nigerians that APC is a contraction and not a political party”.

Those in attendance were former Vice President and 2019 PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, immediate past Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and former Senate President, Ayim Pius Ayim.

Governors in attendance included Samuel Ortom of Benue; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, among others.