The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will proceed as scheduled on June 30, despite objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, stated that INEC has no legal authority to interfere in the party's internal meetings, he stated:
“INEC cannot cancel our meetings. It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters. INEC has no authority to do so. We are planning to hold our meeting as scheduled; if anything changes we will brief you.”
The party’s current leadership crisis—most notably the battle over the national secretary position between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu, who is backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike—has delayed NEC meetings and fuelled internal tension.
To navigate the deadlock, the PDP appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting national secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu, revealed that INEC still recognises Anyanwu as the substantive national secretary.
Following the 99th NEC meeting, the PDP scheduled its 100th NEC meeting for June 30. On May 30, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum notified INEC accordingly. But INEC rejected the notice, arguing it must be co-signed by both the national chairman and the national secretary.
PDP asserts that INEC's role is limited to being notified about conventions, congresses, or primaries where party officers or candidates are elected.
Ologunagba emphasized that the NEC meeting is an internal party matter, and INEC's involvement would be unconstitutional and overreaching.
“We did not state that the meeting was for electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates for elective positions. Yet, the acting secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu, decided to unilaterally assign a purpose to our meeting.”
“According to Nigerian law and the PDP constitution, INEC’s role is limited to being notified about conventions, congresses, or primaries where party officers or candidates are elected.”
The PDP is currently facing a leadership crisis, particularly regarding the national secretary position, which has sparked internal tension. Despite this, the party remains committed to holding its NEC meeting as planned.
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