PDP Holds NEC Meeting, Suspends Discussion On National Secretary Position

THE National Executive Com­mittee (NEC) of Peoples Dem­ocratic Party (PDP) yesterday stepped down discussions on the contentious national secretary posi­tion of the party till June 30.

The party’s acting National Chair­man, Umar Damagum, disclosed while reading the communique issued after the party’s 99th NEC meeting in Abuja.

Damagum said that NEC received the resolution of the South-East General Executive with regards to the national secretary position.

He said that the meeting, however, agreed that the issue be considered and deliberated upon in the next NEC meeting slated for June 30.

Our correspondent reports that the PDP South-East Zonal Execu­tive Committee had, on May 21, submitted its resolution nominat­ing former National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, as the party’s National Secretary to replace Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

Recall that PDP has been em­broiled in leadership crisis over the rightful occupier of the office of the national secretary, as Anyanwu and Udey-Okoye continue to lay claim to the office.

Damagum said that NEC also re­ceived and ratified the composition of the committee on the zoning of national offices, ahead of the party’s national convention.

Members of the zoning committee, according to him, are Gov. DouyeDiri of Bayelsa (Chairman), Gov. Dau­daLawal of Zamfara (Vice Chairman) and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau (Secretary).

Damagum also named members of the National Convention Commit­tee to include Gov. AhmaduFintiri (Chairman), Gov. AdemolaAdeleke (Vice Chairman) and Gov. Peter Mbah (Secretary).

He said that NEC thoroughly exam­ined the state of affairs in the nation and within the party.

Damagum expressed concern over security challenge, including banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communi­ties in various parts of the country.

He said that NEC also lamented the economic hardship and poverty level occasioned by hike in fuel price, increase in electricity tariff and mul­tiple taxes.

He called on President the Bola Tinubu-led administration to take practical steps toward addressing the insecurity and economic situation of the country.

The acting national chairman re­states the party’s belief in democracy, rule of law and the supremacy of the will of the people, as expressed through their free and unhindered democratic participation in multi-party politics and governance.