The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overstepping its bounds by interfering in the internal affairs of the party regarding the convening of its upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
At a press conference held in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, criticised INEC’s response to the party’s notification of its NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, claiming that the commission had no legal grounds to object to the notice or question who signed it.
INEC had faulted the party for not complying with regulations requiring the national chairman and national secretary to jointly sign the notification. Due to the ongoing dispute over the national secretary position, only the acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, signed the letter.
However, Ologunagba insisted that the notification was a courtesy and not a legal obligation, since the meeting is not intended for elections, party mergers, or a change of officials—circumstances under which the Electoral Act mandates 21 days’ notice to INEC.
“Who signed the notice is entirely a party matter,” Ologunagba stated. “As affirmed by the Supreme Court, INEC has no role in regular NEC or National Working Committee (NWC) meetings unless it involves elections or mergers.”
He cited Part 2, Section 12 of INEC’s guidelines, which specify the scenarios requiring official notification, adding that the commission’s intervention was both “distressing” and “unfortunate.”
Ologunagba accused INEC Acting Secretary Halilu Aminu of overreaching by “fabricating an agenda” for the PDP meeting to serve vested interests, and questioned his neutrality.
“He decided to import a purpose for our meeting not stated in the chairman’s letter. Who is he working for? Why is INEC interfering in a routine, statutory party meeting?”
He further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was attempting to undermine the PDP and establish a one-party state, but vowed that such efforts would fail.
In a political swipe, the PDP spokesman dismissed recent defections from the party, insisting they do not reflect the will of the people. He maintained that Nigerians are focused on the 2027 general elections and are not aligned with a party “that does not mean well for the country.”
“APC should know that President Tinubu is a one-term president. His style of governance and what is unfolding are indicators that his presidency will not go beyond one term.”
The press briefing underscored mounting tensions between Nigeria’s leading opposition party and the electoral umpire, with the PDP insisting it will not be intimidated or derailed from its constitutional operations.
