A delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently meeting with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The meeting is taking place at the headquarters of the
electoral umpire in the Maitama area of the nation’s capital.
The sit-down follows the controversy surrounding the
proposed national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP.
The delegation, led by Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP, includes four governors: Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.
Other are Bukola Saraki, former senate president; Abba Moro,
senator representing Benue south; Seriake Dickson, the Bayelsa west senator.
They were received by Mahmood Yakubu, INEC national
chairman, alongside other senior officials of the electoral body.
Yakubu told the PDP delegation that INEC is committed to its
statutory responsibilities of ensuring that the “rules are followed”.
BACKGROUND
In May, the PDP wrote to the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) of its plan to hold the NEC meeting at its national
secretariat in Abuja on June 30.
The notice, signed solely by Damagum, was in accordance with
INEC’s 21-day notification requirement for political meetings of such
magnitude.
However, in a letter dated June 13 and addressed to the
party’s chairman, INEC said the notice of the meeting failed to comply with its
regulations.
The commission said the notice of the proposed NEC meeting
ought to have been jointly signed by the party’s national chairman and
secretary.
There has been a tussle within the PDP over the position of
national secretary, with Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye laying claim to
the title.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba
said the party would go ahead with the NEC meeting, noting that INEC’s approval
is not required for the PDP to hold the gathering.
About 24 hours later, Damagum countered Ologunagba, saying
he was not authorised to speak on the issue.
The PDP acting chairman said the party’s spokesperson made
the statement “prematurely and without due consultation”.
Damagum said Ologunagba has previously acted “unilaterally,
disregarding the collective decision-making structures” of the party.
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