Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The political landscape in Nigeria is abuzz as former Vice President and presidential contender, Atiku Abubakar, makes a return to the Nigeria from Dubai just before the highly anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku, who had been abroad for an extended period, arrived back in Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday, setting the stage for crucial deliberations within the opposition party.
Truth Live News gathered that the NEC meeting, scheduled for April 18, comes after persistent pressure on the Ambassador Illiya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to convene, following its prolonged hiatus from such gatherings for over a year. The NEC holds substantial influence within the PDP, second only to the national convention, and is constitutionally mandated to convene quarterly.
With mounting concerns over the party’s internal dynamics and allegations of external interference, particularly voiced by former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, the forthcoming NEC session is poised to be a decisive moment for the PDP. Atiku, often seen as the de facto leader of the party owing to his presidential candidacy in the previous elections, is expected to play a central role in pre-NEC discussions and strategizing.
Adding to the complexities, the North Central zone is calling for a shift in leadership, advocating for a substantive national chairman from their region, as originally intended in 2021. The current acting national chairman, Damagum, from the North East, assumed office following a legal mandate in 2023, replacing former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu from Benue State. These regional dynamics add an additional layer of intrigue to the upcoming NEC deliberations.
While the official agenda of the NEC meeting rests with the NWC, insiders suggest that deliberations may extend to addressing internal dissent and possible repercussions for party members perceived to be undermining its unity and objectives.
Notably, there have been instances of prominent figures within the PDP openly expressing support for rival political entities, including President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising questions about party loyalty and discipline.
Looking ahead, speculation abounds regarding Atiku Abubakar’s future political aspirations, with strong indications pointing towards a potential presidential bid in 2027.
However, opinions within the party vary, with some viewing him as the most viable candidate to reclaim power, while others question the need for new leadership and generational transition within the PDP ranks. As the NEC meeting looms large, the fate of the party and its leadership direction hang in the balance, setting the stage for potentially transformative outcomes in Nigeria’s political landscape.