NEC Dispute: PDP Leaders Visit INEC to Clarify Meeting Notice
A high-powered delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday met with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja over concerns surrounding the party’s planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The meeting, held at INEC’s headquarters in the Maitama area of the capital, comes amid internal wrangling within the PDP regarding the legitimacy of the NEC gathering scheduled for June 30.
Led by the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, the delegation included Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau). Also present were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Abba Moro, and Senator Seriake Dickson.
The delegation was received by INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and senior officials of the commission.
Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s position on the matter, saying the commission is “committed to its statutory responsibilities of ensuring that the rules are followed.”
In May, the PDP notified INEC of its intention to hold the NEC meeting, with Damagum as the sole signatory. However, INEC rejected the notice, citing non-compliance with regulations. “The notice of the proposed NEC meeting ought to have been jointly signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary,” the commission wrote.
Adding to the confusion, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba had earlier said the meeting would proceed, insisting “INEC’s approval is not required.” But Damagum quickly disowned that stance, saying Ologunagba acted “prematurely and without due consultation” and had “previously acted unilaterally, disregarding the collective decision-making structures” of the party.
