Operatives from the Nigerian Police Force, NPF have taken over the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Abuja ahead of the party’s National Executive Council, NEC meeting.
The magazine learned that the policemen were dispatched to the area to prevent the break down of law and order by the two contending factions in the PDP who have disagreed on the modalities for the meeting.
Recall that the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun had last week disclosed that the NEC earlier scheduled for June 30, 2025 would no longer hold, due to the dispute over the position of the party’s National Secretary, saying “We look forward to welcoming all invited guests/participants to the Expanded National Caucus Meeting tomorrow and I wish you all safe travels and fruitful deliberations in advance.”
Countering Damagun, the faction led by the PDP Vice National Chairman South Taofeek Arapaja insited that the NEC will proceed, saying Damagun has no power to overturn the decision of the 99th NEC , held two weeks ago, to hold the meeting.
Arapaja had while speaking during a press conference on Sunday night in Abuja, said the 100th NEC meeting will be held at the party’s headquarters in the nation’s capital.
Flanked by some members of the party’s National Working Committee, Arapaja disclosed that the party had already informed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC about the meeting, which will meet to determine the time for the National Convention of the party.
He said the NEC meeting is in line with the PDP Constitution, saying Damagun lacked the powers to ‘alter, change and vary” the decision by the party to hold the NEC meeting today.
“By virtue of section 31(3) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) the Monday, 30th June, 2025 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all organs and members, and as such no organ, group or officer of the Party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting,” he said.
“Contrary to a purported notice being circulated in the social media suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been converted to a special expanded national caucus meeting, the NWC states in clear terms that the said notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.
“The NWC emphasises that there is no provision whatsoever for an expanded national caucus in the constitution of the PDP or any guideline of the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, section 30 of the constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing for a national caucus for the party with its composition, functions and meetings clearly spelt out, leaving no room for any form of expansion.
“The suggestion, proposal or announcement for a special expanded national caucus meeting’ is therefore unconstitutional and cannot take any decision for the PDP being not a recognised organ or body in the PDP.”
The magazine reports that the big masquerade behind Arapaja is Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state , who is currently at loggerheads with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesome Wike for the control of the soul of the party. Makinde and Wike were once political allies until recently when the parted ways over the month-long crisis rocking the party.
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