INEC rejects PDP’s NEC meeting notice, cites procedural breach

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has turned down the notification submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its proposed 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a failure to follow laid-down procedural rules.

In a letter dated June 13, 2025, addressed to the party’s national chairman, INEC pointed out that the submitted notice violated provisions of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. Specifically, the Commission referenced Part 2(12)3 of the guidelines, which requires that both the National Chairman and National Secretary of any party must jointly sign and submit such notices for conventions, congresses, or meetings to INEC.

The letter, signed by Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, the Acting Secretary to the Commission, stated that although the PDP’s notice was submitted within the mandatory 21-day window, it was endorsed solely by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, without the co-signature of the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided,” the letter read.

The PDP had earlier sent notice to INEC on May 30, 2025, about its intention to convene the NEC meeting on June 30 at its National Secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting is expected to deliberate on pressing party matters, including unresolved leadership disputes, ratification of zonal congress outcomes, and committee reports.

This development comes as the PDP grapples with deepening internal divisions, mostly ignited by the aftermath of the 2023 elections.

In recent months, the party has witnessed a series of high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially from Delta State, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several political stakeholders abandoned the party.

The wave of defections prompted the PDP’s National Working Committee to hold an emergency meeting in April 2025 to address the crisis.

In the middle of this, the influential G5 group led by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, also met on June 9, advocating for the zoning of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to Nigeria’s South.

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has commenced consultations to build an opposition coalition ahead of 2027, involving prominent figures like Peter Obi and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai.

While some party stalwarts, including Bode George, insist the PDP will reconcile and regroup before the proposed NEC meeting, others remain skeptical, given the unending power tussles and internal wrangling.

With INEC’s rejection of the NEC meeting notice, the PDP now faces another hurdle in its already delicate political journey as it works to stabilise its leadership and reposition for the future.