The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the notice submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding its proposed 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025, citing non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
In a letter dated June 13 and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, INEC expressed concerns that the notification failed to meet the requirements stipulated in its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The correspondence, marked INEC/DEPM/PDP/286/iii/80 and titled “RE: NOTICE OF 100TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY,” was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday.
The commission specifically cited Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 guidelines, which mandates that notices for party conventions, congresses, or meetings must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary.
“The commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022 that provides ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.’ Be guided,” the letter read.
The letter was signed by INEC’s acting Secretary, Mathru Aminu, who advised the party to ensure strict compliance with regulations in the future.
The PDP had earlier, through a letter dated May 30, 2025, formally informed INEC of its intention to convene the milestone NEC meeting at its National Secretariat in Abuja.
However, the notice was signed only by the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, which fell short of INEC’s 21-day notification rule that also requires joint endorsement by the National Secretary.
Party sources disclosed that the June 30 meeting is expected to deliberate on critical internal matters, including the lingering dispute over the office of the National Secretary, ratification of zonal congresses, and the review of key committee reports.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports tht the PDP has been grappling with persistent internal crises, exacerbated by leadership tussles and factional disputes across several zones.
Also, the recent North-Central zonal congress introduced further controversy, compounding the party’s leadership challenges.
These unresolved issues have caused the NEC meeting to be postponed multiple times, delaying strategic decisions and prompting defections by high-profile members, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).