The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has bemoaned the continuous shifting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has bemoaned the continuous shifting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party.
The BoT knocked the National Working Committee for failure to convey the NEC meeting since August contrary to expectations of majority of party members and critical stakeholders.
It said that continuous shifting of the meeting may spell foom for the party, as it has started eroding confidence in the leadership of PDP.
This condemnation was part of the resolution made at an emergency meeting of The BoT held on Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
In a communique read at the end of the meeting by it’s chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the BoT expressed deep worry over the current state of affairs of the PDP, particularly with regard to the administration of the party.
The Board said the NWC cannot continue to evade the critical issue of having a substantive national chairman in place of Ambassador Ilya Damagum, the current acting national chairman.
“The BoT is deeply disappointed over the continued shifting by the NWC in convening a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. This delay not only undermines the trust and confidence of our members but portrays our Party as having been hijacked by certain interests
“The BoT demands that the NWC should show leadership, honour its word and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2025. This is critical for resolving pressing issues and charting a clear path forward for the party. Any further postponement will exacerbate existing challenges and may spell doom for our party.
“The BoT calls on the leaders of the North Central Zone to immediately convene a meeting of North Central stakeholders with a view to nominating a replacement for former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
“The BoT calls for unity and strict adherence to democratic principles by all Organs of the Party so as to strengthen the PDP to effectively play its role as true opposition party in the country,” the communique read in part.
The BoT demanded that the NWC immediately commence the restoration of internal harmony, unity, stability and public confidence in the party by respecting the PDP Constitution and adhering to the zoning of NWC offices to the various geo-political zones in the country.
It as well called on the PDP Governors’ Forum to be more united and work along with other organs of the party to resolve issues in the party expeditiously
“The BoT stressed that the strength of the PDP lies in collective resolve and not in individual pursuits. The BoT cannot therefore afford to let personal ambitions or differences overshadow the shared vision for a better Nigeria. To this end, the BoT remains committed to its search for true reconciliation, unity and harmony in the party,” the communique added.
On the national front, the BoT lamented that the harsh economic policies of the Tinubu Administration have exacerbated the suffering of Nigerians as skyrocketed cost of living has pushed millions of our citizens deeper into poverty with no hope in sight under the APC administration.
END
LP Lawmaker, Caucus calls for judicial neutrality, fair hearing
Tom Okpe, Abuja
The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has called for judicial neutrality, impartiality and fair hearing in the contentious defamation case brought against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
The Caucus, led by Afam Victor Ogene, expressed deep concern over growing trend of anti-democratic activities and developments that undermine Nigeria’s civil governance.
Referencing the recent controversial arrest and imprisonment of Barr Farotimi, who is facing allegations of defamation initiated by Babalola, leader of the LP Caucus, Rep Ogene, in a statement, on Thursday, said democracy is under threat when democratic institutions are manipulated against the people by highly placed individuals.
According to Ogene, the manner the embattled lawyer was arrested in a gestapo style from his office in Lagos State, and the harassment of members of staff of his law office, has sparked worries about the erosion of democratic principles and silencing of dissenting voices in Nigeria.
He emphasized that: “The judiciary remains the last bastion of hope for all citizens in a democratic society, as such, it is imperative that the judiciary upholds the principles of impartiality and neutrality at all times, regardless of social status or connections of any party involved in a dispute before it.
“The Labour Party Caucus is committed to upholding values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and in this regard, we call on the authorities involved in this controversial case to ensure that Barr Farotimi’s rights and privileges are not denied.
“We also demand that the embattled lawyer be given fair hearing, and not made to suffer from any manipulated processes, as alleged in a statement before his forceful arrest and subsequent imprisonment.”
Barr Farotimi had previously alleged in a press conference that a court process was initiated against him without his knowledge. He claimed that a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, ostensibly for failing to appear in court.
Farotimi maintained that these actions were part of a deliberate and fraudulent scheme to manipulate the judicial process, ultimately, leading to his arrest and imprisonment.
The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, had condemned the development, adding that; “These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and sanctity of the legal profession.”
