The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for June 30, 2025, will go ahead as planned despite a reported disapproval by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of colluding with INEC to frustrate the meeting and destabilise the opposition party. The party had on May 30, 2025, formally notified INEC of its planned NEC meeting via a letter signed by its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum.
The party had on May 30, 2025, formally notified INEC of its planned NEC meeting via a letter signed by its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum.
However, INEC responded, saying the letter was invalid unless co-signed by both the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
Ologunagba dismissed the commission’s position, stating that by law and recent Supreme Court judgments, political parties are empowered to manage their internal affairs without external interference, particularly regarding routine meetings like NEC and NWC gatherings.
Quoting the PDP constitution, he said: “Under Section 29(3), the National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to meet at least twice monthly.
Section 34(4) states that NEC shall meet at least once every quarter, either at the instance of the National Chairman or at the request of one-third of NEC members, with seven days’ notice.”
He further clarified that at the party’s 99th NEC meeting, a motion for the 100th NEC meeting was moved by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
It was unanimously approved, with a courtesy notice advised to be sent to INEC—not a request for approval.
“INEC has no role whatsoever in regular party meetings.
“Their participation is only required in specific instances such as primaries, elective conventions, or party mergers, as clearly outlined in the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines,” he said.
Asked why the PDP wrote to INEC at all, Ologunagba replied: “It was simply a matter of courtesy.
“This meeting is neither for the purpose of electing officers, conducting primaries, nor contemplating a merger. INEC’s involvement is unnecessary and the question of who signed the notice is irrelevant.”
He criticized the Acting Secretary of INEC, Haliru Aminu, for what he described as overreach and deliberate misinterpretation of the PDP’s internal affairs.
“Haliru Aminu has created a purpose that was never mentioned in our letter, imposing his own interpretation to serve vested interests.
“He should not manufacture an agenda for the PDP. That’s political mischief.”
Ologunagba accused the ruling APC of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by using institutions like INEC to stifle the opposition.
He declared: “This hallucination of a one-party state will not succeed.
Whether you’re a president or a combination of presidents, this country will not go the way of a one-party dictatorship.”
He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to its scheduled NEC meeting and warned against continued interference from state actors.
TheWillNigeria.