The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made it clear that it will go ahead with its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on June 30, regardless of opposition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At a press conference in Abuja, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said INEC has no authority to stop internal party meetings.
He criticised INEC’s Acting Secretary, Halilu Aminu, for attempting to dictate the purpose of the meeting, suggesting it was outside the commission’s legal role.
Ologunagba reminded the public that INEC’s duties only extend to monitoring events where party officers are elected, such as conventions, congresses, or primaries.
He added that the planned meeting is a routine internal gathering and not for electing officers or candidates.
He stated that the Supreme Court had repeatedly affirmed that such matters fall strictly within the control of the party itself.
The PDP has been dealing with internal conflicts since losing power in 2015, including disputes over leadership and internal roles.
One major issue has been the fight over the position of National Secretary, involving Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In response to the conflict, Setonji Koshoedo was appointed as Acting National Secretary.
However, a committee led by Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu, claimed that INEC still recognised Anyanwu as the rightful Secretary.
Despite this, the PDP announced its 100th NEC meeting for June 30 and informed INEC on May 30.
INEC rejected the notice, stating that both the National Chairman and National Secretary must sign such letters.
The PDP disagreed, saying the meeting doesn’t fall under INEC’s supervisory role and that their constitution allows them to proceed without such conditions.
Ologunagba accused INEC of trying to create a false impression that the meeting was about electing officers, calling the move an attempt to interfere in party affairs.
He questioned who the Acting Secretary of INEC was working for, suggesting there may be political motives behind his actions.
He expressed concern that such interference could damage Nigeria’s democracy and harm INEC’s credibility both locally and internationally.
He concluded by reaffirming that the PDP has every legal right to hold the NEC meeting as planned, adding that INEC’s involvement in this case is not only unnecessary but unconstitutional.
