PDP Condemns INEC for Interference Ahead of Crucial 100th NEC Meeting

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) uninvited meddling in the PDP’s internal affairs has been denounced by the party.
They maintained that, unless party officers or candidates are being elected, the electoral body does not have the constitutional authority to control gatherings like National Executive Committee (NEC) sessions.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, made this statement on Sunday while briefing reporters on significant events leading up to the 100th NEC meeting, which is set for June 30, 2025.

Ologunagba claims that, in accordance with standard procedure, the PDP informed the INEC of the next NEC meeting, even though these gatherings do not fall under the legal definition of political events in which the INEC must be involved.
“INEC does not participate in the NWC or NEC’s regular meetings. The Supreme Court has made it very evident in multiple decisions that these are internal party affairs, Ologunagba said.

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He clarified that INEC only needs to be informed of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates in accordance with Nigerian law and the PDP constitution.

“We did not specify that the purpose of the meeting was to nominate candidates for elective posts, hold primaries, or elect executives. However, Halilu Aminu, the INEC Acting Secretary, made the unilateral decision to give our meeting a goal,” he stated.

Ologunagba went on to say that the PDP’s 100th NEC meeting will examine the status of its upcoming national convention preparations, including reports from the Convention and Zoning Committees established at the 99th NEC meeting.

It was decided unanimously at the 99th NEC meeting to set the next meeting for June 30. Both the Convention Committee’s and the Zoning Committee’s constitutions were accepted. Consultations with stakeholders and other party organs are still going on,” he stated.