*Holds First NEC Meeting After Secretariat Unsealling
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, held its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat in Abuja on Monday, April 20, following last week’s unsealling by the Police, insisting that aggrieved members could return, but must play by the rules.
Recall that the secretariat was sealed in November last year after a violent clash between the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, both of which laid to the party’s leadership.
However, the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in March this year, upheld the lower court nullification of the Ibadan national convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership, and recognised the Abdulrahman-led leadership, backed by Wike, which recently conducted another convention in Abuja.
At the meeting, attended by all members of NEC loyal to the faction, including Wike; former senate president, Bukola Saraki; former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, among others, the party urged aggrieved members to return on the condition that they must respect party rules, remain loyal and put unity first ahead of next year’s general elections.
It restated its openness to reconciliation, but not without discipline, structure and a break from the past or current internal disagreements.
Speaking at the meeting, Mohammed reiterated the need for unity, drawing a firmer line on discipline and internal order, saying: “Internal grievances must be channelled through the proper constitutional organs, not the pages of newspapers.”
He stressed that loyalty would be central to the party’s direction going forward, adding: “Loyalty to the party’s decisions is non-negotiable.”
Even as the party reaches out to aggrieved members, Mohammed stated that reconciliation must come with commitment and purpose, noting: “We do not just want people back in the fold; we want them back with a sense of belonging and a shared purpose.
“The road to 2027 does not begin next year; it begins today. Our preparation must be clinical and data-driven.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Mao Ohuabunwa, urged members at all levels to close ranks and move forward together, saying: “Unity must now be our watchword.
“We must ensure that the gains of the convention are not lost to division, misunderstanding, or avoidable conflict.
“We are the conscience of the party; the custodians of its values, its integrity, and its long-term vision.”
Ohuabunwa cautioned against complacency, saying the successful convention should not be mistaken for the end of the work ahead, adding: “We must guard against complacency; the real work has just begun.”
He stressed ongoing reforms within the party, including e-registration and broader efforts to modernise its operations, noting: “These reforms are not merely administrative; they are essential tools for transparency, accountability, and growth.
“Let us rise above personal interests and place the collective good of the party above all else.”
