Amidst escalating tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the chairman of its National Reconciliation Committee, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has announced that the committee has successfully reconciled warring members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Oyinlola made the declaration following a meeting with NWC members in Abuja on Tuesday. When asked about the discussions held during the meeting, he stated, “The outcome of today’s meeting is that, to the glory of God, we have been able to resolve the differences that have been causing our party some headache within the National Working Committee.”
He expressed gratitude for the progress made, emphasizing, “We thank God that we have been able to open up to ourselves and resolve to move on as a United National Working Committee, which is what we needed for the progress of our party, the People’s Democratic Party.”
However, when questioned about the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, Oyinlola replied, “That wasn’t part of our discussion and I’m not in a position to talk about the NEC meeting. I’m the chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee. There were differences in the National Working Committee, and I have done that, and my job is finished.”
Attendees of the meeting included Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed, and Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeeq Arapaja, among others.
It is important to note that tensions within the PDP have recently escalated, culminating in the suspension of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade by the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary. In response, Ologunagba and Ajibade suspended Damagum and Anyanwu, resulting in a stalemate that was eventually addressed by the PDP Governors Forum.
Following discussions with party leaders, Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, called for a ceasefire and a return to the status quo. Despite this, uncertainty looms as individuals allegedly acting under Governor Mohammed’s influence have reportedly filed a lawsuit to compel the party to proceed with the NEC meeting as scheduled for October 24.
The five-count suit, filed on Tuesday at a Zamfara Federal High Court, names the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first and second respondents, respectively. The plaintiffs are seeking to prevent the Damagum-led NWC from postponing the NEC meeting.
