Abuja — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) notification for its planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing procedural violations in accordance with electoral guidelines.
In a letter dated June 13, 2025, INEC informed the PDP that the notice submitted for the scheduled June 30 NEC meeting failed to comply with the provisions of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. The Commission specifically referenced Part 2(12)3 of the guidelines, which mandates that such notices must be jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
The letter, signed by Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, the Acting Secretary to the Commission, stated that although the PDP submitted its notice within the required 21-day timeframe, it was only signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, without the endorsement of the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided,” the letter read.
The PDP had submitted the notice on May 30, 2025, proposing to hold the NEC meeting at its National Secretariat in Abuja. The agenda reportedly includes deliberations on leadership disputes, ratification of zonal congress results, and the adoption of key committee reports.
This procedural setback adds to the PDP’s growing internal challenges, which have intensified since the 2023 general elections. The party has been rocked by defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—notably from Delta State, where high-profile figures such as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa have defected.
The situation prompted the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to convene an emergency meeting in April 2025. Meanwhile, the influential G5 group led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike met on June 9, calling for the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Adding to the political maneuvering, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has initiated consultations to build a formidable opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, engaging stakeholders such as Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai.
While some party leaders, including Chief Bode George, remain optimistic about the PDP’s ability to regroup before the NEC meeting, others are skeptical due to the ongoing factional disputes and power tussles plaguing the party.
