….says INEC lacks power to control its internal affairs
By Lateef Ibrahim
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has reportedly rejected what it describes as unwarranted interference by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in its internal affairs, declaring the government agency lacks the constitutional power to regulate its meetings such as the National Executive Committee, (NEC), sessions, unless such meetings involve the election of party officers or candidates.
This position was made clear during a media interactive session held yesterday, at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, where the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, addressed journalists on key developments ahead of its 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.
According to Ologunagba, the PDP had duly notified INEC of the upcoming NEC meeting in line with established practice, even though such meetings fall outside the categories of political events that legally require INEC’s involvement.
“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal party matters, as clearly established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings,” Ologunagba stated.
He explained that under Nigeria’s laws and the PDP constitution, INEC is only required to be notified of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates.
“We did not state that the meeting was for electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates for elective positions. Yet, the Acting Secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu, decided to unilaterally assign a purpose to our meeting,” he said.
The PDP’s 100th NEC meeting, Ologunagba added, will review progress on preparations for its forthcoming national convention, including updates from the Zoning and Convention Committees constituted at the 99th NEC meeting.
“At the 99th NEC meeting, it was unanimously agreed to schedule the next meeting for the 30th of June. The constitution of the Zoning Committee and the Convention Committee was approved. Consultations with various organs of the party and stakeholders are ongoing,” he said.
The PDP spokesman also clarified that the PDP had complied with the 21-day notification rule and submitted its notice to INEC on May 13, which was acknowledged by the commission on the same day.
However, INEC, in a response dated June 13, raised concerns over the signatories to the PDP’s letter, stating that the notice was invalid because it was not jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, as required under its regulations.
“Whoever signs a letter is an internal affair of the party. It is not for INEC to dictate who can or cannot sign. If an Acting Secretary signed the letter, we couldn’t have rejected it on that basis,” he said.
