Tensions are rising between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as both sides head for a potential showdown over the party’s upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for June 30, 2025.
The party is standing its ground as it asserts that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has no constitutional obligation to interfere with the Party’s 100th National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.
The announcement was made by Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
His statement followed the commission’s response to a letter the party sent to INEC before their regular statutory meeting.
The letter signed by INEC’s Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu, had informed the PDP that the it’s notice is not in compliance with requirements 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”.
Mr. Ologunagba stated that the PDP, as a registered party with INEC, has its constitution, which is articulated and recognized by the commission.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has two main bodies: the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC). The NWC is expected to meet at least twice a month, while the NEC is scheduled to hold meetings at least once every quarter.
“For our 100th NEC meeting, which is scheduled to hold on June 30th, 2025, constitutionally, PDP is not supposed to inform INEC unless the party is having convention, conference or Merger with another political party, as mentioned earlier, he emphasises”
“We only write to INEC for this upcoming meeting as a courtesy, but it has no constitutional obligation to decide when to have our regular statutory meeting.”
The Publicity Secretary further assured Nigerians that the party is committed to addressing its internal crisis to face the 2027 general election
He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining the party’s progress.
In response to questions about some of their members working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, Mr. Ologunagba stated that the party is actively preparing for the election and emphasised that Nigerians should not be distracted from this focus.