The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a notification from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding its planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30.
The commission said the rejection is due to the party’s failure to comply with its guidelines for political parties.
In a letter addressed to the PDP’s National Chairman, dated June 13 and signed by the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Haliru Aminu, INEC drew the party’s attention to a breach of its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Specifically, INEC referenced Part 2(12)3 of the guidelines, which stipulates that “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.”
INEC noted that the PDP’s letter, dated May 30 and signed solely by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, did not meet this requirement.
INEC said: “Notice of 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Your letter on the above subject refers. 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.”
The PDP had earlier sent the notice to INEC, informing the electoral body of its intention to hold its 100th NEC meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The letter, referenced PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-078, was received by INEC on the same day it was dated, May 30.
The notification, which complies with INEC’s 21-day rule ahead of any NEC meeting where sensitive decisions are to be made, was expected to set the stage for resolving several pending issues within the party, including the lingering crisis over the National Secretary position.
The PDP has been battling with an internal crisis, especially since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections.
One of the major points of contention has been the leadership tussle over the National Secretary position between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Anyanwu, who left the position to contest the Imo State governorship election and lost, has since attempted to return to the office.
In his absence, the Southeast Caucus of the party nominated Ude-Okoye to occupy the role.
While some PDP leaders loyal to Anyanwu have argued that he remains the rightful officeholder, former Imo State governor Achike Udenwa has insisted that the Southeast Caucus’s decision must stand, saying that the forces backing Anyanwu are not superior to the Southeast Caucus.
