Damagum Silent on PDP NEC Meeting After INEC Visit

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, remained silent on the fate of the party’s planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting after a closed-door engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting came amid growing controversy surrounding the NEC session, initially scheduled for June 30 at the PDP national secretariat. In May, Damagum had issued a notice to INEC about the planned meeting, in line with the commission’s 21-day requirement for such political gatherings. However, INEC responded in a letter dated June 13, stating the notice failed to meet its procedural standards, as it was not co-signed by both the national chairman and secretary of the party.

The dispute over the party’s national secretary position has further complicated matters. Both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye are claiming the role, while Setonji Koshoedo has also emerged as a figure of interest in recent correspondences with INEC. This leadership tussle has created uncertainty over who holds the legitimate authority to endorse official party communications.

Over the weekend, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba announced the NEC meeting would proceed regardless of INEC’s concerns. But Damagum swiftly disavowed the statement, calling it premature and made without consultation. He accused Ologunagba of acting unilaterally and disregarding collective party decision-making processes.

Speaking briefly before Tuesday’s meeting with INEC, Damagum said the visit aimed to seek clarity on the secretary issue. He referenced a previous NEC directive that authorized him to sign the notification letter alone to avoid further confusion. He emphasized the need for off-camera discussions with INEC to help the party navigate the ongoing impasse.

INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu acknowledged the need for clarification, stating that the commission had received multiple letters from individuals claiming to be the party’s secretary, leading to procedural concerns about the NEC meeting’s legitimacy.

Following the meeting, Damagum did not confirm whether the NEC gathering would go ahead as scheduled. Instead, he stated that the party would consult with its broader stakeholders to evaluate the outcome of the discussions with INEC before taking a final decision.

Despite Damagum’s reticence, Ologunagba reiterated earlier in the day that the NEC meeting would hold as planned on June 30.