The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned what it terms “unwarranted interference” by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its internal affairs, insisting the electoral body lacks constitutional authority to regulate meetings such as its National Executive Committee (NEC) sessions—unless those meetings involve the election of party officers or candidates.
This position was made clear during a media parley on Sunday at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja. Addressing journalists, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, stated that INEC had no legal standing to interfere in the PDP’s upcoming 100th NEC meeting, scheduled for June 30, 2025.
“We duly notified INEC of the meeting out of courtesy and in line with practice, but legally, they have no role in NEC or NWC meetings that are not about elections,” Ologunagba said. “This is clearly established by multiple Supreme Court rulings.”
He noted that under the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution, only conventions, congresses, and primaries related to the election of candidates or officers warrant INEC’s observation or involvement.
The controversy arose after INEC responded to the PDP’s official notice—submitted on May 13 and acknowledged the same day—by raising objections over the signatories. INEC’s Acting Secretary, Halilu Aminu, had declared the notice “invalid” because it was not signed jointly by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, as per commission guidelines.
Ologunagba fired back, describing the objection as baseless and intrusive:
“Who signs a party letter is our internal matter. If the Acting National Secretary signed it, INEC has no business questioning that. This move smacks of deliberate obstruction.”
He accused the electoral body of veering off its constitutional duties in what he called “a calculated attempt to stifle opposition” and “nudge Nigeria toward a one-party state.”
“The desperation to undermine political parties and interfere with our processes is dangerous,” he warned. “This is hallucination at best, and the ruling APC should know such delusions won’t work.”
Ologunagba also demanded that INEC investigate the role of its Acting Secretary, Aminu, questioning his motives and suggesting that his actions may be politically motivated.
“The bigger question is: Who is the Acting Secretary working for? What’s his endgame?” he asked.
The PDP spokesman dismissed trending social media reports suggesting that INEC had cancelled the NEC meeting, calling them “false and laughable.”
“INEC has no powers to cancel our meetings. That’s entirely our prerogative,” he asserted.
Looking ahead to the June 30 gathering, Ologunagba confirmed that the NEC meeting would focus on reviewing progress toward the party’s forthcoming national convention. Updates from the Zoning and Convention Committees—set up during the 99th NEC meeting—will also be discussed.
He added that unresolved internal issues, such as the South East Zonal Executive and the office of the National Secretary, will be addressed.
The PDP’s 100th NEC meeting is expected to play a critical role in shaping the party’s strategic direction ahead of future national contests.
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