ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the notification submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a breach of procedural requirements.
In a letter dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the electoral commission stated that the party’s notice did not comply with the provisions outlined in the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
INEC specifically referred to Part 2(12)3 of the regulations, 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.”
However, the PDP’s notification was signed solely by Damagum, without the co-signature of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Signed by Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, the Acting Secretary to the Commission, the letter stressed that the notice lacked the required dual endorsement.
“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided,” the letter read in part.
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Although the notice was submitted within the legally required 21-day window, the failure to meet the joint-signature condition rendered it invalid in INEC’s view.
The PDP had earlier, on May 30, 2025, notified the Commission of its plan to hold the NEC meeting on June 30 at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Channels TV reports that the meeting is expected to deliberate on crucial issues, including ongoing internal leadership disputes, ratification of zonal congresses, and review of committee reports.
The party has been grappling with deep internal crises, particularly stemming from the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
These tensions have been further exacerbated by a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially among its members in the National Assembly and state political structures.
In April, the PDP suffered a major blow when key political figures in Delta State including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, several commissioners, and other political stakeholders defected to the APC.
The development prompted the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to convene an emergency meeting at the party’s national secretariat in April to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leading member of the G5 group, Nyesom Wike, met with other G5 governors on June 9, during which they advocated for the zoning of the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.
At the same time, 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has initiated a round of political consultations aimed at forming a robust opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. His outreach reportedly includes discussions with Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, in an effort to counter what they describe as a drift toward a “one-party state” under the APC.
However, not all within the PDP support the coalition idea. Some chieftains, like Bode George, have voiced confidence in the party’s ability to resolve its internal disputes and rebound in time for the upcoming NEC meeting.
As the June 30 NEC meeting date approaches, the PDP faces mounting pressure to put its house in order, beginning with ensuring that its procedural processes align with INEC’s regulatory framework.