PDP Insists on June 30 NEC Meeting Despite INEC Objection

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed that its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will proceed on June 30, despite objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the validity of the meeting notice.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticized INEC’s insistence that the notice must be co-signed by both the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the party’s ousted National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. INEC had cited its regulations which mandate joint signatures from the party’s chairman and secretary for official meetings and conventions.

In a letter responding to the PDP’s notice, INEC emphasized that the procedure violated Part 2 (12) 3 of the 2022 Guidelines for Political Parties, which requires both officials’ signatures. The commission reminded the party to “be guided” by the rules.

Ologunagba, however, dismissed the electoral body’s stance and questioned the neutrality of INEC’s Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu, who signed the response. He called for an investigation into Aminu’s actions, suggesting that there may be external influence affecting the commission’s decisions. “There must be something, and that’s why I said, who is the acting secretary of the commission working for?” he asked.

He further stated that the NEC meeting notification to INEC was issued out of courtesy and not obligation, pointing out that the 100th NEC meeting should be celebrated as a landmark in Nigerian party politics. “We are not electing officers. We’re not producing candidates. We’re not discussing merger and acquisition by any other party or an arrangement or amalgamation,” Ologunagba clarified, indicating that the meeting agenda does not violate any electoral guideline.

He also noted that the party’s reconciliation efforts, led by committees headed by Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Bukola Saraki, are making progress in resolving internal disputes.

Although the resolution from the PDP’s 99th NEC meeting had indicated plans to replace the national secretary, Ologunagba maintained that the party retains the right to adjust or step down any item on its agenda.

The standoff adds another layer of tension within the PDP as it moves forward with its scheduled meeting amidst unresolved leadership issues and regulatory pressure.