From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

An insider in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said the National Assembly caucus, on Thursday took a strategic decision that saved the day by resolving to allow the party’s acting national chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagun, to remain in office until the national convention in August 2024.

That action was a victory for the party, as it denied the different camps who were poised to either remove the chairman from office or confirm him as a substantive chairman for a tenure, the opportunity to do so.

This was revealed by an insider, who spoke to our correspondent saying being their first National Executive Council meeting, after the elections, all parties were advised to sheath their swords and allow for wider consultations and respect for the party’s constitution.

According to our reliable source, “Each camp was prevailed on to downplay their anger, and this being our first meeting after the general elections of 2023, we should neither discuss the removal of the acting chairman nor replacement with a new chairman.

“Rather we should address internal issues that should strengthen the party on discipline and reconciliations. And by next NEC meeting we should address the issue of the chairmanship. And at that meeting we would apply the party’s constitution, which states that the next national chairman should come from North Central.

Our source, who pleaded anonymity, further said, “Between now and then is enough time for consultations and we should agree on who should be the national chairman. We also resolved that the party should not be stampeded into making a choice of who should be our national chairman without the input of all major stakeholders.

“That was the position canvased by the leadership of NASS PDP Caucus. And it was taken. It is not about the the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, as being wrongly carried by some people.

“It was actually a position championed by the National Assembly Caucus led by the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Seriake Dickson. They took that decision that saved the day.

“Senator Dickson raised the issue which was carried and we set up a team and Dickson spoke on our behalf. It was a strategic decision, as we all agreed that the Alhaji Damagun will go by August, after he had concluded the congresses”.

The insider stressed that it was insulting to imagine that it was a Wike’s victory over Atiku, adding that the former Vice President and the presidential candidate for 2023 elections was there at the meeting and sat quietly. 

“So it was a no victor or vanquished situation, because if Wike’s camp had their way, Damagun could have been confirned; just as those who went there with a mind of having a new chairman  also failed in their mission”.

“Interestingly, Damagun also said he is not a sit-tight chairman, just as the PDP Governors also toed same line. We will agree on a North-Central candidate that will strengthen the party after consultations.

“The Chairmanship has been zoned to the North-Central but that will not be enough qualification. We need someone who has capacity to re-build the party,” said the insider who attended the meeting. 

From Marcel Duru, Owerri

The Labour Party Candidate in the 2023 general elections for Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Uche Ogbuagu, has appreciated the party faithful in the area for their massive support for him, in last year’s general elections.Speaking during a special well attended Thank You Parley at his Akabo Ikeduru Country Home, the political Leader poured out his heartfelt appreciation to his supporters, who fought tooth and nail to ensure his electoral victory at the polls.

He explained that he did not abandon the mandate which the people freely gave to him but blamed the outcome on a few bad compromised elements who were bent on subverting the will of God and the people, maintaining that he has left Vengeance to the Almighty.According to Ogbuagu Uche Ogbuagu, he followed the right path as enshrined in the relevant laws of the land as he approached the court, the arbitrator and last Hope of the citizenry *from the tribunal to the Appellate Court.He assured his numerous supporters to keep faith alive as God still rules in the affairs of men and his faith in Christ Jesus remains unfazed.In the same vein he thanked God Almighty and the people of Mbaike, including the women and many others who accompanied him while he campaigned across the length and breadth of Mbaike.Many leaders of the party from the State, and across Mbaike which included His campaign Council Director General, Hon. Chris Egesimba, State Deputy woman leader, Chief Innocent Anukam the Chairman in Ikeduru, Chief Ifeanyi Aguocha, the Party Chairman in Mbaitoli, the Labour Party Candidate for Ikeduru State Constituency Hon. Engr Chuks Anaele and many other leaders,party executives from State,LGA and Wards,other stakeholders from all spheres attended the special event.Highlights of the events include the Observation of one minute silence in honour of departed LP Heroes in Mbaike and Exceptional Word Of Exhortation by Apostle Chiemela Rowland, which he titled ” Allow God to Avenge.”

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

The Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the solutions to the leadership problems confronting the PDP are contained in its Constitution but are being stalled by deliberate litigations.Sen. Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the BoT, who stated this at the board’s 77th meeting yesterday, however, said the PDP needs to resolve the challenges in the best interest of the party and its members.

”It is incumbent upon us to resolve this matter with utmost urgency, guided by transparency, fairness, and the best interests of our party and its members,” Wabara said. He added, “Recalling the events that led to the ousting of the former Chairman of the Party in person of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the current Acting Chairman has spent over a year in office whereas as the usual practice of the party, the region from whence the national officer hails from should have produced a viable candidate to complete the tenure of the former national officer.”Furthermore, the contentious issue surrounding the office of the National Secretary has regrettably sown seeds of discord within our party. The ambiguity surrounding this position has led to confusion and internal strife, hindering our collective efforts to pursue our noble objectives.”The solutions to these two challenges are clearly imbibed in our party’s constitution but deliberate litigations have made the application of these constitutional solutions impossible.”He said the BoT as leaders feel the pulse of Nigerians and particularly members of the party in their demand and quest for direction at this critical time in the life of the PDP and the nation.”Nigerians are currently passing through a perilous time and their earnest expectation is for us as a party to put our house in order and effectively lead the charge to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All-Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.He, therefore, said that the impending expiration of the Ward and Local Government Area executive structures of the PDP presented the party with the opportunity to reinvigorate and reposition for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”The forthcoming congresses at various levels serve as a beacon of hope, offering us a platform to reaffirm our commitment to democratic ideals, grassroots participation, and inclusive governance. Let us seize this moment to embrace change, foster unity, and chart a course towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our party and our nation,” he said.In his remarks during the meeting, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Iliya Damagum, said that in spite of the challenges confronting the party, it has been going about its activities, adding that consultations were ongoing to resolve them.Among members of the BoT in attendance at the meeting are Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi and Secretary of the BoT, former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abbah Moro.Others former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sen. Ben Obi, former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, Josephine Anenih, Sen. Biodun Olujimi, Sen. Osita Ngwu and former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan.