- Battle Over Party’s Scribe Position rages
By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reeling from yet another blow as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the party’s notice for its highly anticipated 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for June 30, 2025.
It was gathered that the PDP, already grappling with internal fractures and high-profile defections, faced INEC’s rejection after submitting a notice for the NEC meeting that failed to meet regulatory standards.
In a letter referenced PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.13/25-078 and dated May 30, 2025, the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, formally invited INEC to the NEC meeting.
The letter stated: “We write to formally inform and invite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the Leadership of our Great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has scheduled our 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting to hold on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the National Secretariat of our Party, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. This is for the Commission’s information and necessary action, please.”
However, INEC rejected the letter on the basis that it was signed solely by the Acting National Chairman on May 30.
The electoral body said the notice lacked the mandatory joint signature of the party’s National Secretary as stipulated in INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
This was contained in a letter issued by INEC’s Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu.
The letter stated: “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, which provides that 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 New Diplomat reports that this comes amid a dispute over the position of the National Secretary in the PDP.
Senator Anyanwu, backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, was recognized as the party’s National Secretary by INEC.
However, a court threw out Anyanwu and acting on that the PDP, including the South-East caucus and the PDP Governors’ Forum, endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary to replace Anyanwu.
