PDP Governors Meet INEC as Crisis Over NEC Meeting and Secretary Role Escalates
As internal wrangling continues to erode the unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governors elected on the party’s platform are scheduled to meet with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today in Abuja. The meeting is expected to address the deepening controversy over the party’s National Secretary position and the fate of its forthcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
According to an official letter from INEC, dated June 18 and signed by the commission’s Acting Secretary, Halliru Aminu, the meeting will take place at 2:00 p.m. today in INEC’s Conference Hall. The letter, exclusively obtained by The PUNCH, was a response to the PDP governors’ earlier request for an audience with the electoral body.
Mounting Tensions Over Party Leadership
The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political party, has struggled to regain national relevance since losing power in 2015. It continues to battle internal divisions, leadership tussles, and unresolved congress issues in various states. One of the most contentious issues currently destabilizing the party is the dispute over the position of National Secretary, a role being contested by Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the latter enjoying strong backing from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In a move to douse tensions, the party had appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee chaired by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu recently confirmed that INEC still officially recognises Senator Anyanwu as the substantive secretary.
INEC Rejects NEC Meeting Notice
Following the PDP’s 99th NEC meeting, the party fixed June 30 for its milestone 100th NEC session. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum subsequently issued a formal notice to INEC on May 30. However, INEC rejected the notice, citing procedural irregularities. The commission insisted that any such communication must be jointly signed by both the national chairman and national secretary, as stipulated by law and internal party guidelines.
INEC reiterated its position in its June 18 letter, rejecting the date proposed by PDP governors and instead scheduling the meeting for today, June 24.
Party Spokesman Sparks Internal Rift
Tensions escalated over the weekend when PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba addressed a press conference insisting that INEC had no legal authority to interfere in the party’s NEC or National Working Committee (NWC) meetings.
“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal matters. The Supreme Court has made this clear in several rulings,” Ologunagba stated, emphasizing that INEC could not unilaterally cancel the party’s NEC meeting.
But the party’s acting chairman swiftly distanced the leadership from Ologunagba’s remarks.
Damagum: ‘Ologunagba Spoke Without Mandate’
In a statement released Monday, Damagum clarified that Ologunagba’s comments were not sanctioned by the party’s National Working Committee.
“I want to unequivocally state that the comment made by Hon. Debo Ologunagba concerning the 100th NEC meeting and INEC’s communication was done without the knowledge or approval of the PDP leadership,” Damagum said.
He described the statement as “premature” and issued “without due consultation,” especially considering that a high-level meeting had already been scheduled with INEC to address the concerns.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without due recourse to internal procedures,” he added. “The views expressed by Ologunagba were entirely personal and do not represent the official position of the party.”
Damagum further noted that this was not the first time the party’s spokesman had acted independently, disregarding established consensus and collective decision-making processes.
A Party at a Crossroads
Today’s meeting with INEC is seen as a crucial moment in the party’s effort to regain stability and rebuild trust among its members. Sources within the PDP told The PUNCH that resolving the leadership crisis particularly the National Secretary dispute is essential for the NEC meeting to hold legitimately.
“The issue of who INEC recognises as the National Secretary will be central to today’s talks,” a senior PDP official said. “The party must come out of the meeting with clarity to avoid further embarrassment or legal challenges.”
Balancing Independence and Compliance
Despite the crisis, Damagum reaffirmed the party’s commitment to constitutional procedures and democratic norms. He assured stakeholders that while the PDP would resist any undue external interference, it must do so through unified and coordinated efforts.
“The PDP remains committed to holding its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with its constitution,” he said. “We will, however, ensure this is done with consensus and respect for internal processes.”
With time running out before the planned NEC session on June 30, all eyes are now on the outcome of today’s meeting one that could shape the future of Nigeria’s foremost opposition party.
Reference
PDP Governors Meet INEC as Crisis Over NEC Meeting and Secretary Role Escalates