PDP and INEC Logo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the notice submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its forthcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing non-compliance with procedural requirements.

In a letter dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, INEC said the party failed to adhere to the provisions outlined in the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

According to the Commission, the notice was not jointly signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary, as stipulated in Part 2(12)3 of the guidelines.

“The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission,” INEC stated in the letter signed by its Acting Secretary, Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu.

Though the PDP met the mandatory 21-day notification timeline—having written to INEC on May 30, 2025, regarding the NEC meeting scheduled for June 30—the omission of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu’s signature rendered the notice invalid.

“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice is not in compliance… “Be guided,” the letter warned.

The PDP’s proposed NEC meeting, expected to take place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, is slated to deliberate on key issues including internal leadership disputes, ratification of zonal congresses, and the review of committee reports.

The party has been grappling with deep-seated internal crises since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections. A wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has further rocked its structure, especially within the National Assembly and across state chapters.

Notably, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several top political figures from the state decamped to the APC in April.

In response, the PDP’s National Working Committee held an emergency meeting in Abuja that same month to address the growing internal discontent.

Adding to the tension, members of the G5 group, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, met on June 9 to push for the zoning of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South—a position that has further divided the party’s ranks.

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has initiated high-level consultations with political heavyweights including Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai in an attempt to form a unified opposition against what he described as the APC’s growing dominance.

However, not all PDP stakeholders are on board with the idea of a coalition. Chieftains such as Bode George remain optimistic about the party’s internal resolution mechanisms and its prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.

With the NEC meeting now facing procedural setbacks, it remains to be seen how the PDP will navigate its internal challenges and reposition itself for the future.

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