The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled its national executive committee (NEC) meeting for April 18. Additionally, the party will hold the national caucus meeting on April 17, and the board of trustees (BoT) meeting on April 18. This announcement was made by Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, in a statement released on Friday.
The PDP’s NEC is the highest decision-making body of the party and includes various prominent members such as state governors, current and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairman and secretary of the BoT, principal officers of the national assembly, state chairmen, members of the national working committee (NWC), former governors, and founding members, among others.
Calls have been made for the PDP to convene a NEC meeting, as the last one took place in September 2022 when Iyorchia Ayu served as the national chairman. Ayu was suspended from his position in March 2023 following a vote of no confidence passed on him by the executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue, due to alleged anti-party activities.
According to the PDP constitution, a NEC meeting must be held once every three months. Section 31 (4) of the constitution states that the National Executive Committee should meet quarterly at the request of the National Party Chairman or upon the request of two-thirds of its members, who must notify the Chairman at least seven days prior to the meeting. In cases of emergency, the National Chairman has the authority to summon a meeting, considering the circumstances and agenda.
There is an ongoing lawsuit brought by Segun Sowunmi, a former governorship aspirant in Ogun state, against the Umar Damagun-led PDP for failing to convene a NEC meeting within the constitutionally stipulated period. The case has experienced multiple adjournments, and the federal high court in Abuja is yet to deliver a judgment.
The NEC meeting is expected to address various issues, including the replacement of Iyorchia Ayu and the off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo states. Recently, Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue state, declared his intention to run for the office of the national chairman of the PDP.