Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postponement of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for October 24, 2024, shifting it to November 28, 2024. The decision was made during an enlarged meeting held by the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting to Truth Live News and other media platforms, the postponement aims to allow the party to focus its energy and resources on the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial election, set for November 16, 2024. The PDP emphasized that the extra time would enable the party to consolidate its unity and prepare to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Ondo State.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who chaired the forum, stressed the need for harmony within the PDP ranks, warning against divisive rhetoric. “We must avoid any utterances that could undermine our unity and weaken the efforts to reposition our party as the leading opposition. The challenges ahead require us to stand together,” he said.
The communiqué reaffirmed that the PDP, under the leadership of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, remains committed to ensuring the party is well-prepared for upcoming electoral challenges.
Key party organs participated in the meeting, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Forum of Former Governors of the party, alongside the PDP Caucus from the National Assembly. The gathering underscored a shared commitment to revitalizing the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mohammed concluded by expressing optimism about the party’s chances in the upcoming Ondo State polls, stating that the PDP was prepared to offer an alternative to what he described as the “floundering” leadership of the APC.
The rescheduling of the NEC meeting signifies a strategic move by the PDP to project a united front ahead of a critical electoral contest. With the Ondo elections less than a month away, the decision to focus on internal cohesion and readiness could bolster the party’s chances at the polls. However, the unity call will be tested by how well the PDP manages internal disputes and divergent interests within its ranks. Public sentiment appears cautiously optimistic, but the real test will be at the ballot box in November.