Later today, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where the future of some top members accused of anti-party activities, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, is expected to be decided.
The Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee has already submitted its report to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), recommending sanctions against members indicted in petitions for working against the PDP during the last general elections.
Also high on the agenda is the party’s forthcoming national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers will be elected.
The 101st NEC meeting had approved the convention date, but Wike has opposed it, insisting that his camp was not consulted.
He has also demanded recognition of a South-South congress conducted by his loyalists, which produced Dan Orbih as zonal chairman but was rejected by the NWC.
PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said preparations for the NEC were complete, assuring that the meeting would be peaceful.
“It is going to be a very successful outing. NEC members have already been arriving. The venue is guaranteed, and the NWC is in session. The outcome will be communicated later in the day after the meeting,” he told Daily Trust.
He added that the NEC would focus on reviewing progress since its last meeting, particularly the work of the Convention Planning Committee. “Top on the agenda remains the convention,” Abdullahi said, noting that disciplinary matters, including Wike’s case, would also be discussed.
Party insiders disclosed that while Wike’s name would come up, it is uncertain whether sanctions will be imposed immediately. “It will be discussed, but whether it would get to the level of sanctioning him, I am not going to guarantee that,” a senior NWC member said.
Former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, dismissed fears that Wike could stall the convention. “The convention is going to hold. One single person, no matter how highly placed, is not NEC, is not NWC, is not even a governor,” he said.
PDP chieftain, Conrad Terhide Utaan, urged the party to enforce discipline. “It’s high time the party moved from barking to biting. If any member frustrates a valid decision of the party, then sanctions must apply,” he said.
As the NEC meets today, all eyes are on how the PDP will handle the lingering internal rifts that continue to test its unity.