The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) for its repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the BoT, expressed concerns during an emergency meeting of the body in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting the ongoing leadership struggles within the party.

Wabara revealed that the BoT would continue its efforts to resolve the crisis by engaging former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in a planned meeting in January, seeking to restore unity in the party.

Wike, a key figure in the PDP’s current turmoil, has been at the center of the crisis following the removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman by the court.

Since Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman, there have been increasing calls for his resignation amid growing dissatisfaction from party leaders.

The party’s leadership initially set August 15 for the 99th NEC meeting, which has since been rescheduled multiple times and is now indefinitely postponed.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has called for the NEC meeting to be convened no later than February.

Wabara expressed disappointment over the repeated delays, stressing that they undermine the confidence of party members and hinder the party’s ability to move forward.

“The delay in convening the NEC meeting is damaging to the trust and unity of the party. The BoT has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the PDP, and we expect the NWC to adhere to its commitments,” Wabara said, emphasizing the importance of adhering to timelines for resolving critical issues.

The former Senate President pointed out that the PDP’s strength lies in unity and adherence to democratic principles, calling for action to avoid further discord.

He also warned that further delays could deepen existing challenges within the party, urging the NWC to take swift action.

Externally, Wabara criticized the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, which he claimed have worsened the plight of Nigerians.

He called on the PDP to present itself as a credible alternative, advocating for policies of fairness and prosperity.

He also underlined the importance of internal unity, calling on members to put aside personal ambitions and focus on the collective vision for a better Nigeria.

Wabara expressed the BoT’s commitment to peace and unity, beginning with a renewed effort to engage Wike and seek a resolution to the party’s internal divisions.

Kenneth Imasuagbon, a former governorship aspirant in Edo State under the Labour Party, has officially resigned from the party, citing internal divisions and lack of democracy as the primary reasons for his departure.

Imasuagbon submitted his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday, December 4, 2024, addressed to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, and copied to the Ward 2 Chairman in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area.

A former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imasuagbon expressed his dissatisfaction with the party’s direction, stating that it had strayed from its founding principles.

He added that the Labour Party was no longer a viable and credible alternative for Nigerians.

The philanthropist and leadership advocate explained that, after consulting with his supporters, it had become clear that he could no longer align himself with a party plagued by power struggles, poor leadership, and a lack of vision.

He emphasized that, despite his long-standing commitment to the development of Edo State and Nigeria, he could no longer remain in a party that had failed to uphold its values.

Imasuagbon stated, “After consulting with my supporters, it is evident that my departure is the right step. The Labour Party has failed to foster leadership and democracy. Instead, internal conflicts and lack of clear direction have hindered its progress. Many founding leaders of the party have already left, and it is clear the party is not ready to provide meaningful leadership.”

Imasuagbon, who was defeated by Olumide Akpata for the Labour Party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2024 Edo governorship election, further criticized the party’s ineffective management and autocratic decision-making processes.

In the recent election, the Labour Party finished a distant third.

…Tasks Nigerians to end careers of ‘Jumpology’ politicians

The leadership of the Labour Party has announced the creation of a “Hall of Shame” register for lawmakers and elected officials who defect from the party.

The move follows the recent defection of several Labour Party lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly.

Obiora Ifoh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, expressed the party’s dissatisfaction with the defections, which he described as “irrational” and “alien” to democratic norms.

He named the defected lawmakers, including Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), who formally announced their switch to APC in a letter read out by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Ifoh cited Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which restricts lawmakers from defecting to another party without justification, and emphasized that the defections were against the party’s interests.

He stressed that the Labour Party had always been committed to internal democracy and had consistently advocated for the proper use of mandates given by voters.

He reminded the public of the Labour Party’s achievements, including winning one governorship seat, eight Senate seats, and 35 House of Representatives seats in the 2023 general election, as well as numerous state Assembly seats.

The party also had a strong showing in the presidential race, which many Nigerians believed they had won.

While acknowledging some internal pressures after the election, Ifoh reassured that the party had resolved these issues and was now united, with no major crises.

He declared that no member elected under the Labour Party’s banner had any constitutional protection to defect, as the party had already moved past its challenges and was at peace.

Ifoh also recalled the tragic assassination of Labour Party Women Leader, Victoria Chintex, in 2022, while she was campaigning for the party.

He accused Donatus Mathew, a defector, of disrespecting Chintex’s memory and betraying the party members who had supported him.

In response to the defections, the Labour Party vowed to pursue legal action against the defectors, with plans to challenge the validity of their continued positions.

The party’s legal team has been instructed to begin the process of regaining the mandates lost due to the defections, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act.

Additionally, the Labour Party will seek for the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the seats held by the defectors vacant, arguing that they no longer represent their constituencies legally.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed the statement made by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, claiming that the party would take over Osun and Oyo states in the upcoming elections.

Makinde argued that Ganduje’s remark was misguided, pointing out that both states had made significant strides under the leadership of Governors Ademola Adeleke and himself.

Makinde, speaking at the commissioning of several projects initiated by Governor Adeleke in Osun State, emphasized that the people of Osun, who had embraced the progressive leadership of Adeleke, would not be swayed by APC’s claims.

He stated that the forthcoming governorship election in Osun would showcase the people’s determination to support the current leadership.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde praised Adeleke for not only continuing but also completing inherited projects, which he described as a testament to the governor’s dedication to serving the people.

Makinde noted that delivering on promises and ensuring the value of public funds spent was central to both his own administration in Oyo and Adeleke’s in Osun.

Makinde further highlighted the importance of governors prioritizing policies and projects that benefit their people, particularly in these challenging economic times.

He expressed his admiration for Adeleke’s efforts in improving Osun’s infrastructure, which he said had made a visible difference on the ground.

“On our drive today, I saw firsthand the progress being made. The number of ongoing building projects and the number of people employed speaks volumes. This is not about numbers or statistics; this is real work for the people.” he said

He went on to encourage Osun’s electorate to continue supporting Adeleke, urging them to re-elect him for another term to keep the momentum going.

Makinde praised Adeleke’s leadership, stating that it was rare for politicians to break the mold, but Adeleke had proven that good governance could transcend party lines.

Makinde also took the opportunity to address the criticisms from Ganduje, stating that the people of Osun and Oyo would not be intimidated by external forces.

“We are law-abiding people, but we will not allow anyone to deceive us. The secret behind some of these claims will be exposed, and our people will see the truth,” he said.

The governor also spoke about the economic benefits that the road and infrastructure projects in Osun would bring, particularly in terms of property value and economic development.

He noted that such projects would lay the groundwork for future prosperity, encouraging residents to hold onto their properties in areas benefiting from the developments.

In his remarks, Governor Adeleke expressed his gratitude to Governor Makinde for his continued support, acknowledging the strong bond of brotherhood between the two states.

He highlighted that both Oyo and Osun were committed to a shared vision of progress for the South-West region.

Governor Makinde’s visit to Osun was also marked by the presence of top officials from Oyo State, further reinforcing the unity between the two states.

The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Tax Reform Bills, clarifying that no part of the legislative process has been suspended or withdrawn.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, made this statement during Thursday’s plenary, emphasizing that the Senate remains dedicated to representing the interests of Nigerians and will not be swayed by external pressures.

This declaration came after Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, raised a point of order in response to media reports suggesting that discussions on the bills had been halted.

Akpabio swiftly dismissed these claims, reaffirming that the Senate’s work on the bills remains on track.

“The Senate cannot be intimidated. Any reform that serves the interests of Nigerians will continue,” Akpabio asserted.

“These bills contain provisions aimed at benefiting the public.”

The Senate President further addressed concerns about misinformation circulating in the media, urging the public to focus on accurate information.

He stressed that any attempts to intimidate the Senate are undemocratic, highlighting that only the executive can withdraw the bills, as they are executive communications.

“We are steadfast in our legislative duties and do not take orders from anyone, regardless of their position,” he added.

Akpabio also explained that the Senate is not rushing the process and will ensure a thorough examination of the bills.

To facilitate this, a special committee representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has been formed to engage with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to resolve any contentious issues.

“We are committed to transparency and addressing all concerns. If six weeks are not enough, we will extend the timeline,” Akpabio reassured.

On Wednesday, the Senate established a committee to review the controversial Tax Reform Bills.

The committee, chaired by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), will meet with the Attorney General to clarify any ambiguities in the bills before a public hearing is held.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session on Wednesday, noted that the executive agreed with the Senate’s approach to resolve the disagreements surrounding the bills.

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented four Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly in October, they have faced significant resistance, particularly from the Northern region of the country.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tochukwu Okere from Imo State, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okere’s defection was among several moves as four other lawmakers from different states also switched parties. Rep. Donates Mathew from Kaduna State, Bassey Akiba from Cross River, Iyawu Esosa Edo, and Rep. Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu from Delta State also joined the APC.

The defection was announced by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during Thursday’s plenary session.

In response, the minority whip, Ali Isah JC (PDP-Gombe), called for the declaration of the defected lawmakers’ seats as vacant, citing Section 68(1) of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended).

However, Speaker Abbas disagreed, stating that the minority whip had failed to reference the entire section correctly when justifying the request to vacate the seats of the defected members.