Unwanted meddling in its internal affairs by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been denounced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Unless the election of party officers or candidates is at stake, they maintained, the electoral body does not have the constitutional authority to control meetings like those of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
In an address to reporters on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, made this statement in advance of the 100th NEC meeting, which is set for June 30, 2025.
Ologunagba asserts that, in accordance with custom, the PDP informed INEC about the forthcoming NEC meeting, despite the fact that these gatherings do not fall under the legal definition of political events in which INEC must be involved.
“INEC does not participate in the normal NWC or NEC meetings. As the Supreme Court has made plain in multiple decisions, these are internal party affairs,” Ologunagba said.
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INEC is only needed to be informed of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates, he clarified, in accordance with Nigerian laws and the PDP constitution.
“We didn’t say that the meeting was for nominating candidates for elective positions, holding primaries, or electing officers. Halilu Aminu, the INEC Acting Secretary, however, made the decision to unilaterally give our meeting a goal,” he stated.
According to Ologunagba, the PDP will examine the status of its upcoming national convention preparations during its 100th NEC meeting. This will include feedback from the Zoning and Convention Committees, which were established at the 99th NEC meeting.
At the 99th NEC meeting, everyone agreed that the next meeting should be held on June 30. They approved the convention committee’s and zoning committee’s constitutions. There are still ongoing consultations with stakeholders and different party organs,” he stated.
