The crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened following the rejection by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the party’s notice for its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The meeting, scheduled for June 30 at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, was intended to address critical issues, including the lingering dispute over the position of National Secretary. However, with less than 21 days to the proposed date, the rejection by INEC could derail plans for the party’s anticipated August convention.
The notice of the NEC meeting, dated May 30 and signed by the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, was addressed to the INEC Chairman and received by the Commission on the same day. The letter, referenced PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-078, was issued in accordance with INEC guidelines requiring a 21-day notice prior to such meetings.
However, INEC, in its response dated June 13 and signed by its Acting Secretary, Mathru Aminu, declared the notice non-compliant with electoral regulations. According to the commission, the notice failed to meet the joint-signature requirement stipulated in its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
In the letter titled “RE: NOTICE OF 100TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) MEETING OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)”, the commission stated:
“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022 that provides ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission. Be guided.’”
“Please accept the Assurance of the Commission’s high regards.”
— Mathru Aminu, Ag. Secretary to the Commission
The NEC meeting was expected to serve as a platform to resolve internal tensions, particularly surrounding the party’s National Secretary position.
Recall that in March, the Supreme Court overturned the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court that had earlier removed Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the role.
The apex court’s verdict, delivered by a five-member panel, reinstated Anyanwu and effectively ended a prolonged leadership dispute between him and Sunday Ude-Okoye. Nonetheless, multiple organs within the PDP have continued to withhold recognition of Anyanwu as the party’s valid secretary, leaving the matter unsettled within internal party structures.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
