Piqued by the continuing internal tension within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Conference of National Ex-Officio members of the party have insisted that only the convocation of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24, 2024, will avert the looming implosion in the party.

This position is coming on the heels of what the group described as an escalating crisis within the top leadership of the party, adding that failure to act fast could result in tension of incalculable consequences.

The national ex-officio members of the party have also thrown their weight behind the peace effort of the PDP Governors Forum led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

The ex-officio members, in a statement signed by Dr. Yunana Ilya (Northcentral), Dr. Nicholas Msheliza (Northeast), Chief Madumere Chinemerem (Southeast), Chief Patrick Agbe (South-South), Chief Faboyede Clement (Southwest), and Alhaji Ibrahim Alhaji (Northwest), expressed worry over the deteriorating state of affairs in the PDP, highlighting what they called a “dangerous turn of events” that has the potential to destabilise the party.

The statement read: “As an integral part of the NEC of our great party, and one of its last bastions with the grassroots, who believe in the resurgence of our party’s popularity, we have critically brainstormed and dispassionately resolved, as a matter of urgency, to call on the leadership of the party to ensure that the NEC meeting scheduled for the 24th of October 2024 holds.

“This will afford members who are aggrieved the opportunity to be heard and their issues addressed.

“We have viewed with utter dismay and concern the dangerous turn of events within the top echelon of our party in recent times. These events have the tendency to shake the very foundation of our party.”

The national ex-officio members stressed the need for a NEC meeting to provide a platform where aggrieved party members can voice their concerns and seek resolutions.

They said, “The NEC meeting will afford members who are aggrieved the opportunity to be heard and their issues addressed.”

They further explained that the PDP Constitution mandates that the NEC meets at least once every quarter, regretting that the party has failed to adhere to the whims and caprices of the provision.

“Our party’s Constitution is explicit on the importance of the NEC in its provision that it shall hold at least once every quarter, failing which two-thirds of members may exercise its power in summoning an emergency NEC meeting.

“It is regrettable that our party has not adhered to the provisions of its own Constitution, which would have nipped in the bud many unresolved issues,” they stated.

They further expressed the need for the party to return to constitutional supremacy.

Acknowledging that the internal disagreements have remained unresolved, the ex-officio members applauded the efforts of the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State.

“Through the firm and sterling leadership qualities of His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, the PDP Governors’ Forum has not only provided the needed direction but has indeed lived up to expectations,” they stated.

They also threw their weight behind ongoing peace initiatives aimed at restoring the party’s unity and strength.

They further made a case for the need for the party to remain a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the PDP continues to position itself for future elections.

“Nigerians still believe that the PDP is the only viable alternative to the failed Tinubu-led APC administration,” the ex-officio members declared.

The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party, has faced several internal crises since its loss in the 2015 presidential election.

The party, which prided itself on being a symbol of democratic governance, has continued to struggle with factional divisions and leadership battles, threatening its unity.

While the PDP Governors’ Forum is frantically playing its leading role in efforts to mediate these conflicts, the issues have, however, continued to challenge its stability.