As Gov. Mbah reiterates right to review membership
By Ken Chiwendu
As the Peoples Democratic Party gears up for its 100th National Executive Committee NEC meeting today, in Abuja,the party has stated that the meeting is binding on all organs and members and as such,no group or officer of the party has the power to alter , change or convert the meeting.
In a statement on Sunday, the
Deputy National Chairman, South,Amb. Taofeek Arapaja clarified that the meeting had not converted to a special Expanded National Caucus meeting as circulated in the social media stating that ” the Notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded”
The statement in full:
100th NEC Meeting to Go on As Scheduled on Monday, 30th June, 2025
… Cannot Be Varied or Converted
Gentlemen of the Press
We have called you to, through you, further update all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the general public on the activities of the Party especially with regard to the 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) statutorily scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025 and the National Convention scheduled for Thursday 28th to Saturday, 30th August, 2025.
For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee (NWC) assures all Party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.
The 100th NEC meeting will among other things receive updates on the activities of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee.
As you are aware, the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025.
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.
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 emphasizes 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 recognized Organ or Body in the PDP.
The PDP is a political Party build on the foundation and pedestal of strict adherence to the Rule of Law, guided by the due process of our Party Constitution and the ethos of internal democracy, which values must be protected and preserved at all time.
The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the members of the PDP and reassures that the 100th NEC meeting and the National Convention will go on as scheduled by NEC.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reiterated his stand on the South East occupying the position of the National Secretary
Mbah, who received chieftains of the party at the Government House on Sunday said while he still remains a member of the PDP, the South East,of which he is part of reserves the right to review its continued membership of the party if the party is unwilling to put its house in order.
The governor noted that the position adopted during the last South East Zonal meeting in Enugu on the zone:s stand regarding the National Secretary position has yet to be fulfilled adding ” the position of the South East with respect to the National Secretaryship of the party as issued in that communiqué is sacrosanct
The full statement:
Delighted to receive my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, alongside the South East Zonal Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa, former National Chairman and BOT member, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Sam Egwu, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Senator Ben Obi, Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye, and other respected leaders of our party at the Government House today.
We had a productive engagement focused on the progress of our party and the urgent need to strengthen its internal democracy, unity, and justice. I thank them sincerely for honouring the invitation and for their deep concern for the future of our party.
Just as I stated during my interactive session with Fellows and Members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu at the weekend, while I am still a member of the PDP, the South East – and that includes me – reserves the right to review our continued membership of the party if the party is unwilling to put its house in order.
That was invariably the position adopted during our last South East Zonal meeting held here in Enugu. During that meeting, the caucus noted that the party should not disregard the zone’s stand regarding the National Secretary position.
To all intents and purposes, this has obviously not been the case. So, there is no doubt as to where I stand on the matter.
The position of the South East with respect to the National Secretaryship of the party as issued in that communiqué is sacrosanct.
I also support the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the party scheduled for Monday, June,30th,2025.
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