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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected what it describes as unwarranted interference by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its internal affairs, declaring that INEC lacks the constitutional power to regulate its meetings such as the National Executive Committee (NEC) sessions, unless such meetings involve the election of party officers or candidates.
This position was made clear during a media interactive session held on Sunday at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, where the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, addressed journalists on key developments ahead of its 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.
According to Ologunagba, the PDP had duly notified INEC of the upcoming NEC meeting in line with established practice, even though such meetings fall outside the categories of political events that legally require INEC’s involvement.
“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal party matters, as clearly established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings,” Ologunagba stated.
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He explained that under Nigeria’s laws and the PDP constitution, INEC is only required to be notified of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates.
“We did not state that the meeting was for electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates for elective positions. Yet, the Acting Secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu, decided to unilaterally assign a purpose to our meeting,” he said.
The PDP’s 100th NEC meeting, Ologunagba added, will review progress on preparations for its forthcoming national convention, including updates from the Zoning and Convention Committees constituted at the 99th NEC meeting.
“At the 99th NEC meeting, it was unanimously agreed to schedule the next meeting for the 30th of June. The constitution of the Zoning Committee and the Convention Committee was approved. Consultations with various organs of the party and stakeholders are ongoing,” he said.
The PDP spokesman also clarified that the PDP had complied with the 21-day notification rule and submitted its notice to INEC on May 13, which was acknowledged by the commission on the same day.
However, INEC, in a response dated June 13, raised concerns over the signatories to the PDP’s letter, stating that the notice was invalid because it was not jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, as required under its regulations.
Ologunagba rejected this interpretation, insisting that INEC had no authority to dictate who could sign internal party correspondence, especially since the PDP had an Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary in place.
“Whoever signs a letter is an internal affair of the party. It is not for INEC to dictate who can or cannot sign. If an Acting Secretary signed the letter, we couldn’t have rejected it on that basis,” he said.
He accused the commission of attempting to undermine the PDP and frustrate its internal processes under the guise of regulation, suggesting it was part of a wider agenda to stifle opposition and tilt the country toward a one-party system.
“Why this desperation to undermine political parties, seemingly to push towards a one-party state and stifle opposition? This is push-pull thinking, it’s a hallucination. The APC should understand that this is a delusion,” he warned.
Ologunagba further questioned the motives of INEC’s Acting Secretary, Halilu Aminu, and called on the electoral commission to investigate his actions.
“The challenge for us now, as a party, is to question: Who is the Acting Secretary working for? What is his objective? Why is he creating an agenda for our party’s routine NEC meeting?” he asked.
He dismissed social media reports suggesting INEC had cancelled the PDP’s NEC meeting, describing them as false and laughable.
“INEC cannot cancel our meetings. It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters. INEC has no authority to do so,” he said.
Touching on internal party matters, Ologunagba noted that unresolved issues, such as the South East Zonal Executive and the office of the National Secretary, would be addressed at the upcoming 100th NEC meeting.
He also provided updates on party reconciliation efforts and property-related court cases, assuring that the PDP remained focused on uniting its ranks and preparing for the 2027 general elections.
“The reconciliation process within the party is ongoing. It’s not a 100-metre race; it’s a marathon. We are making progress, step by step,” he said.
The PDP reiterated its commitment to democratic values and transparency, vowing not to be distracted by “propaganda, false reports, or external interference.”
” The APC is jittery. They thought all the challenges they threw at us would sink us, but the more they try, the stronger we emerge,” Ologunagba noted.
