JOS: There are growing indications that the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)may not take any action on erring members before the party’s next convention, scheduled for 2025. This delay is further compounded by the PDP Governors’ Forum, which has called for the convening of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by February 2025, signaling that the party will focus on resolving critical internal challenges before taking any major disciplinary actions.

Sources within the PDP says that the party’s leadership, mindful of the need to avoid deepening divisions, has decided to prioritize reconciliation efforts over swift disciplinary measures.

The NDC, which was formed in response to allegations of anti-party activities by key party members, is reportedly being cautious in its approach, with many within the party fearing that premature sanctions could worsen the already fragile state of the PDP.

Governors’ Forum Calls for February NEC Meeting

The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to convene the NEC meeting by the first week of February 2025.

The meeting is expected to address significant internal challenges facing the party, including leadership disputes and legal issues. The PDP has been grappling with factionalism, especially following the fallout from the 2023 presidential election, and the forum’s call reflects a desire to resolve these issues before the next national convention, where new leadership is expected to emerge.

According to the forum’s communique, the period between November 2024 and February 2025 will be dedicated to consultations with party stakeholders to identify solutions to the party’s existential problems, with a particular focus on leadership issues. It also emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

• PDP Governors Meet in Jos to Discuss Governance, National Issues, and Election Review
• PDP Replaces Amb Damagum With Yahari A Mohammed As Ag Chairman

Reconciliation Efforts Over Disciplinary Action

While the disciplinary committee, headed by former Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi, was initially expected to act swiftly on complaints of misconduct, the party has instead leaned toward reconciliation.

Sources within the party indicate that both the reconciliation and disciplinary committees are working in tandem, with the reconciliation committee taking the lead. The thinking is that any action before the convention could further fracture the party, which has already seen significant internal strife since the 2023 elections.

A senior PDP member, speaking on condition of anonymity, voiced concerns that the disciplinary committee, formed with 26 members instead of the 7 stipulated by the party’s constitution, was doomed to fail. The source suggested that the committee’s formation was designed to ensure it would not take any substantial action, as it was stacked with loyalists to certain party leaders.

There’s no way the committee can function properly. The NWC knowingly ignored the constitutional requirements for setting up the committee, and now we have a situation where a flawed process cannot yield results, the party chieftain said.

Despite these concerns, some party insiders believe that the committee is merely exercising caution. They argue that taking drastic action could lead to further fragmentation and damage the party’s already fragile unity.

A Delicate Balancing Act

While tensions continue to simmer within the PDP, party leaders are clearly trying to avoid a repeat of past crises. The ongoing negotiations and efforts at reconciliation reflect a delicate balancing act between maintaining party unity and addressing the growing calls for accountability.

A former deputy spokesperson for the PDP explained that the party’s current strategy involves waiting until the 2025 convention to resolve internal disputes, with the belief that many issues will naturally be addressed at that time. This includes potential expulsions or disciplinary actions that could be handled by new party leadership.

“Our convention is next year, and that’s when everything will be sorted out,” the source said. “We need to avoid sanctioning people now because it will only lead to more infighting. The committee is likely holding off until the convention to handle these issues more comprehensively.”

PDP’s Internal Struggles and the Need for Unity

The ongoing internal struggles of the PDP were magnified during and after the 2023 presidential election, with supporters of the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and key figures like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, calling for disciplinary actions against those perceived to have acted against the party’s interests.

Wike’s camp, in particular, had sought the suspension of several governors who were seen as aligned with Atiku, including ex-governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). On the other hand, Atiku’s supporters also demanded action against Wike and his allies, further complicating the situation.

Despite these calls, the NWC has made it clear that reconciliation efforts must take precedence to avoid escalating the divisions within the party. As one party insider put it, “The most important thing right now is to preserve the unity of the PDP. We cannot afford another major crisis.”

Committee Under Scrutiny

Since its formation in August 2024, the NDC, headed by Tom Ikimi, has remained largely silent. Despite Ikimi’s assurance of fair handling of complaints, no visible progress has been made, and the committee’s activities have remained shrouded in secrecy. For over three months, there have been no updates or actions taken, leading to questions about the committee’s efficacy.

A senior member of the PDP commented on the lack of transparency, saying, “Has the committee invited anyone? Has anyone been questioned or disciplined? We’re not seeing any action, and that’s raising concerns. The committee was supposed to bring about change, but right now, it’s just been inactive.”

Calls for Patience and Support

Despite the mounting frustration, PDP leaders continue to urge members to exercise patience. Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor dismissed speculation that the committee would fail, urging party members to refrain from undermining the committee’s work. He emphasized that figures like Tom Ikimi, who has a long and respected history in Nigerian politics, would not have accepted the appointment if he did not intend to fulfill his role.

We need to give the committee time to do its work, Osadolor stated. “It’s unfair to question their integrity before they even finish their task. The committee has a process it’s following, and all we need is patience.

Similarly, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, defended the committee’s legitimacy, stressing that the party’s constitution guides all its decisions. While he acknowledged that the party prioritizes reconciliation, he emphasized that discipline, when necessary, would also be addressed.

We are working on restoring unity within the party, but any party without discipline is bound to fail, Ologunagba remarked. These committees are operating according to the party’s constitution, and they will submit their findings in due course.

 Awaiting the Convention

With the PDP facing internal challenges, it seems likely that the party will defer major disciplinary actions until the 2025 convention, where leadership changes and resolutions to internal disputes are expected.

The PDP Governors’ Forum’s call for an NEC meeting in February 2025 reflects the need for further consultations to resolve critical issues before the convention. In the meantime, party members are urged to remain patient and focused on the bigger picture of party unity and progress ahead of the 2027 elections.