The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has reaffirmed that its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold on June 30 as scheduled, dismissing the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) attempt to block the gathering.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said INEC has no legal authority to interfere in the party’s internal meetings that do not involve primaries or officer elections.
“INEC cannot cancel or dictate the purpose of our NEC meetings. This is clearly outside its constitutional mandate” Ologunagba stated.
His remarks follow INEC’s rejection of the PDP’s notice for the meeting, citing a requirement that such letters be co-signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary. The PDP, currently facing a leadership tussle over the National Secretary role, had submitted the notice with only Acting Chairman Umar Damagum’s signature.
Ologunagba argued that the meeting is a routine party activity meant to review preparations for the national convention and receive reports from standing committees—not to elect officials.
He also questioned INEC Acting Secretary Halilu Aminu’s motive in assigning a false agenda to the meeting. “Who is he working for? Why fabricate a purpose not stated in our letter?” he queried.
The PDP said it will go ahead with its 100th NEC meeting, warning that INEC’s actions threaten democratic principles and could undermine its international credibility.
