Author: The Nation

Despite the decision of the Ambassador Umar Damagum–led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership to proceed with Saturday’s national convention in Ibadan, the PDP Reconciliation Committee, chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, had recommended putting the planned convention on hold and constituting an all-inclusive Caretaker Committee to address all outstanding disputes.

At a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday night, the National Convention Organising Committee, led by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, dismissed the recommendation and declared that the Ibadan convention was sacrosanct and would go ahead as scheduled.

A report of the Reconciliation Committee, made available to journalists on Friday, accused three governors and other senior party figures of prioritising personal interests over the party’s unity, alleging that loyalty to individuals had overshadowed loyalty to the PDP.

The committee’s findings, submitted to the Board of Trustees chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara, also detailed mutual accusations of betrayal between PDP governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, with both sides alleging disregard for existing internal agreements.

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The report was signed by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (North East) – Chairman; Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (South South) – Secretary; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (South West); Senator Zaynab Kure (North Central); Dr. Lubna Gusau (North West); and Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East), who served as members.

The report said, “In the course of this assignment, we found out that friction, distrust, and lack of sincerity had festered for too long amongst the key players (Governors & NWC members), and the year 2027 became an issue with regard to who gets what. This affected the smooth running of the Party.

“Job descriptions were tempered within the NWC. The spirit of carrying each other along got affected. Camps became birthed within. Loyalties got shifted more to individuals than the Party. Litigation in courts across the strata got attended to, not with the speed and candour resulting in more crises”.

It recommended, “Going ahead with the convention at this time must be subject to favourable legal status and disposition of INEC. However, considering the multiple court orders and judgments, INEC is not likely to monitor the Convention.

“Accordingly, an all-inclusive Care Takers Committee (CTC) is recommended because a failed convention will incapacitate the tenability of the party to field candidates at all levels nationally. For this to be effected, all the NWC should revert to the status quo ante immediately.

“Suspension orders should be lifted and all parties brought together for genuine reconciliation. The BOT must be given its prime position to be able to mediate and guide processes within the Party. On her part, the BoT must be seen to be neutral.

“The constitution of the Party must be amended to accommodate some key issues. The intention to grant the Governors Forum status as an ORGAN of the party by constitutional amendment should not be done at this time.

“Above all, the Party constitution must be upheld always. Party supremacy and discipline are core. There is therefore the need for the BoT, NWC, Governors Forum, and all critical stakeholders to come together and resolve all these issues to allow for a successful hitch-free convention going forward.”

The Committee reported that it met with the FCT Minister, the PDP Governors Forum led by Senator Bala Mohammed, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Iliya Damagum, and the suspended members of the NWC (comprising Sen. Anyanwu (the National secretary), Bature (the organizing secretary), and Bar. Ajibade SAN (the National legal adviser), as well as former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in the course of their assignment.

It reported that “Wike questioned the reconciliation committee’s integrity and neutrality, citing its formation in a meeting attended by the Damagun-led NWC, while objecting to the BoT’s declaration supporting the Damagun-led NWC and the Oyo State High Court judgment, feeling it prejudiced his cooperation.

“Minister Wike suggested the BoT should have met without parties present and then invited both sides. He criticized the zoning committee’s process, alleging fundamental errors and exclusion from consultations.

“Minister Wike accused the Governors’ Forum, led by Gov. Bala and Seyi Makinde, of hijacking party processes and pursuing selfish agendas. He alleged some Governors, including Diri, Kefas Agbu, and Peter Mba, secretly collaborated with the ruling party.

“Minister Wike expressed discontent over cancelled congresses, particularly in South-South, South East, Anambra, and Ebonyi states. He insisted the convention would only proceed if the Abuja High Court orders are obeyed, threatening continued activism due to Governors’ non-compliance with agreements”.

On the meeting with the governor, the report said ‘Governor Bala Mohammed met with the committee, accompanied by Governors Muftwang and Makinde, who excused themselves due to other commitments. They assured that discussions would be binding on them.

“Governor Bala accused Minister Wike of betrayal, causing confusion, and disregarding the party constitution. He stated that the Governors’ Forum had fulfilled agreements, but Minister Wike insisted on absolute control. He alleged that Minister Wike aims to weaken and destroy the PDP.

“Governor Bala described Minister Wike as trouble-prone and unlikely to cease attacks on the party and its structures”.

On the meeting with the Damagun-led NWC, the report said the Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Arapaja represented Damagun, leading 10 NWC members, while 5 other NWC members sent apologies

The report explained that “the National Secretary and others were suspended due to anti-party activities, despite repeated warnings, and that the suspended members were accused of dealing with party matters in a high-handed and indisciplined manner.

“The NWC appreciated the Governors’ financial support, but noted that their competition for control contributed to the crisis. Suspended NWC members were accused of having ulterior motives and being influenced by Hon. Minister Wike.

“The National Organizing Secretary (NOS) was accused of running a one-man show and having a hidden agenda that negatively impacted state congresses. The NLA was accused of working against the party’s interest in legal issues.

“The NWC pledged to cooperate with the committee to achieve a peaceful resolution but expressed reservations about other factions’ willingness to embrace peace.”

It said the Meeting with National Secretary (NS), National Organizing Secretary (NOS), and National Legal Adviser (NLA) took place at the residence of the National Secretary

It said, “NS, NOS, and NLA appreciate the BOT Reconciliation Committee’s composition, but express unhappiness about the meeting setup with Damagun-led NWC present. They accuse some BOT members of contributing to issues in their states and zones.

“They accuse Damagun and his team of disobeying court orders. They allege Gov. Bala, Diri, and Makinde have hidden agendas, creating conflicts. They claim Chairman Damagun met with Governors without NWC input, agreeing to a National Convention.

“They criticise excluding Minister Wike from key decisions, like zoning national, zonal, and state offices, accuse the Chairman and Governors of not keeping agreements, while accusing the National Chairman and Publicity Secretary of running the party without consulting NWC members.

“They emphasise the legitimacy of Chief Ali Odefa’s suspension, citing a court judgment, insisting that NLA notes documents signed by Ali Odefa are illegal and letters to INEC must be signed by NC and NS, but this isn’t being followed.

“They accuse the National Chairman of terminating staff appointments and salaries, they claim the party didn’t meet the 21-day notice to INEC, making the National Convention shaky, and identify Gov. Makinde as a major crisis contributor and Damagun as incompetent.

“They provide evidence of conflicting directives from the National Chairman, while NOS states the National Convention process doesn’t follow the party constitution, and clarify the purported judgment doesn’t explicitly approve the convention.”

The report also contained an extract from. The meeting with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who the report quoted as saying that he has never met President Tinubu, but sacrificed political partnerships for party peace, and was also said to have identified the issue of the National Secretary and a rancour-free National Convention as remaining unresolved due to Governors’ ego/selfishness.

Saraki was quoted to have said that the Governors agreed on a solution granting the structure in Rivers state to Wike, but reneged, pointing out that the agreement for state and zonal congresses collapsed after Amb. Damagun was confirmed National chairman.

Saraki also referred to infighting between Minister Wike, Govs. Fintiri, Bala, and Makinde, saying the governors made selfish, detrimental decisions, while expressing the fear that proceeding with the Ibadan Convention under the present circumstances will fracture the party irreparably.

Saraki was said to have recommended the formation of a caretaker executive committee inclusive of all stakeholders, while Governors. Makinde & Bala Mohammed should retreat and cooperate as the only way to avert destruction.

Saraki was also said to have warned of the consequences of allowing the crisis to linger, which include the eventual defection of first-term Governors of Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara, as they cannot contest second terms on a fractured party.

He also recommended that the Governors’ Forum should not be an organ of the party in any constitutional amendment, while the BoT must be impartial, upright, and inspire confidence.