Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convened on Friday, January 31, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State, to take significant steps aimed at averting the party's self-destruction. This emergency meeting led to the ratification of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary amid scathing criticisms of the policies instituted by President Bola Tinubu's administration.
The PDP governors emphasized the urgency of revitalizing the party's leadership structure, mandatively scheduling the National Executive Committee (NEC) to reconvene no later than March 13, 2025. This directive seeks to address the internal conflicts plaguing the party, particularly surrounding the National Secretary role, which has recently been under judicial scrutiny. A Court of Appeal ruling on December 20, 2024, confirmed Udeh-Okoye as the authentic officeholder, overriding Samuel Anyanwu, who had sought to contest the position. The governors urged immediate implementation of this ruling, indicating their commitment to reinstate stability within the party's ranks.
Chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting, "The Forum noted with delight the on-going efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; accordingly, it advised the NWC to establish machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment." This statement underlines their intent to unify the party following distress arising from power struggles.
Alongside restructuring efforts, the governors addressed broader issues impacting the nation, citing economic, security, and infrastructure challenges faced throughout 2024. They criticized the federal government's macroeconomic policies, which they asserted have exacerbated hardships for the Nigerian populace. The forum proclaimed, "The macro-economic policies of the federal government have inflicted hardship and pain on the polity. Therefore, the Forum called on the federal government to either revisit or rejig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate the hardships inflicted on Nigerians."
This call points toward the pressing need for policy reevaluation to alleviate the economic strain affecting citizens, illustrating the PDP's pledge to advocate for more favorable conditions.
The NEC meeting, the highest decision-making body within the PDP, consists of influential figures such as current state governors, previous presidents, and other high-ranking officials. Section 31 (4) of the PDP constitution mandates the NEC to convene every three months, making the recent delay undesirable and politically sensitive. With the last NEC meeting held back in April 2024, the postponements by the National Working Committee (NWC) reportedly drew ire and prompted the board of trustees to intervene.
According to party insiders, the upcoming meeting will also review the performance of its governors as they assess their effectiveness and contributions toward addressing the welfare of their constituents during trying times.
During the meeting, the PDP governors took the opportunity to commend their colleagues for policies aimed at improving the conditions of citizens. They expressed gratitude for the security forces' efforts against banditry but voiced concerns about the resurgence of non-state actors targeting various regions. The governors remarked, “While commending the country’s valiant and patriotic Armed Forces and security agencies for maintaining the frontline in securing the country, the Forum viewed with deep concern the resurgence of brazen non-state actors.”
This acknowledgment reveals the party's awareness of the deteriorated security situation and its intention to push for enhanced security measures.
Moving forward, the governors reassured citizens of their resolve to recover Nigeria’s past levels of economic viability and security. The forum stated, "The PDP remains committed to returning our great nation to the glorious days of pre-2015, characterized by manageable costs of living, security of lives and property, and greater unity and prosperity for all citizens." This remark encapsulates their vision for reinstatement of stability and growth.
Finally, the PDP governors expressed appreciation for their host, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commending his administration for monumental strides achieved with respect to infrastructure, energy, and social empowerment. The meeting's collaborative nature, amid introspective discussions, signals the PDP's dedication to strengthening their operational coherence and strategic standpoint.
Going forward, the PDP stands at a pivotal moment, confronting not only internal strife but external pressures: the call for economic reforms, security reinforcements, and public accountability are all avenues the party intends to navigate carefully. Whether the decisions made during this meeting will result in substantial growth or merely placate dissenting voices remains to be seen.