The Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abdulrahman Mohammed, on Wednesday addressed members of the party during the 106th meeting of the National Executive Committee held in Abuja.
The gathering brought together key leaders of the party, including members of the National Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees, members of the National Assembly, and other party stakeholders from across the country.
During the meeting, Mohammed welcomed party leaders and members who attended the gathering and acknowledged their continued commitment to the party despite internal challenges and political competition over the years.
He noted that the PDP has remained one of the longest standing political organisations in Nigeria and has continued to operate based on democratic values and constitutional processes.
He also spoke about recent court judgments involving the party and said the decisions had once again confirmed the importance of following the rule of law in political activities. According to him, the rulings delivered by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal supported the need for political parties and their members to follow both the Constitution of Nigeria and the constitution guiding the PDP.
Mohammed said members of the party across the country should take note of the court decisions and continue to support the existing leadership structure within the organisation. He explained that the judgments had clarified the leadership situation in the party and affirmed the current arrangement under the National Caretaker Working Committee.
The caretaker chairman also addressed reports circulating in some quarters about the status of the party’s Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
He explained that the issue of Anyanwu’s suspension had not been part of the matters decided by the courts. According to him, the claims suggesting that the courts had supported such a suspension were incorrect.
He said the information being circulated was misleading and warned that such claims could create confusion among party members and the public.
Mohammed added that anyone who carefully reads the court judgments would see that the issue was not determined by the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal.
The caretaker chairman also raised concerns about what he described as attempts by some individuals to spread negative narratives about the party following the court decisions. He noted that such actions were capable of misleading members and damaging the party’s image if not properly addressed.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed said the PDP would continue to operate based on its internal rules and democratic processes. He encouraged members to remain calm and focused as the party works to strengthen its structures across the country.
He also acknowledged the role of the Nigerian judiciary in resolving political disputes and maintaining order within the country’s democratic system. According to him, the courts have continued to perform their constitutional duties by ensuring that political activities follow the law.
Mohammed told members of the National Executive Committee that Nigerians are watching the party closely and expect it to provide responsible leadership and credible opposition in the country’s political space.
He said the party must remain united and disciplined as it works toward rebuilding its strength.
He further encouraged party leaders to approach their discussions during the NEC meeting with maturity and a sense of responsibility. According to him, the decisions taken during the meeting would affect the future of the party as well as its role in Nigeria’s political system.
The caretaker chairman also reminded members that the PDP remains one of the largest political parties in Africa and should continue to maintain strong internal organisation and democratic principles.
He said the NEC meeting should serve as another opportunity for the party to strengthen unity among members, improve its structures from the grassroots level to the national level, and prepare for future political responsibilities.
At the end of his remarks, Mohammed formally declared the 106th meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party open and expressed hope that the discussions during the meeting would help move the party forward.