Red Alert In PDP! Emergency Meeting Called As INEC Fallout Shakes Party Core

As internal turmoil intensifies, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has scheduled an urgent meeting for Wednesday.

The emergency meeting was prompted by a failed engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over internal procedural disagreements and conflicting messages regarding the party’s leadership. A dependable party insider confirmed to Punch that the emergency gathering was convened after INEC rejected the PDP’s notice for its planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing procedural breaches.

During a crucial Tuesday meeting involving PDP governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and INEC officials, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stressed the need to resolve internal contradictions, particularly concerning the National Secretary role.

Yakubu noted, “In recent months, we’ve received multiple communications from the PDP—first naming Udeh Okoye as secretary, then switching to Samuel Anyanwu, later to Setonji Koshoedo, and once again back to Anyanwu.

“The most recent letter we received bore only the chairman’s signature, not the secretary’s, which goes against our procedural standards.”

He emphasized that while INEC is committed to maintaining open dialogue, the PDP must operate within the bounds of its constitution and electoral regulations. He pointed out that prior notices for the party’s 99 NEC meetings had been validly signed by both the chairman and secretary—an essential procedure now missing, leading to the present deadlock.

Speaking to the media after the private session, PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum described the meeting as “constructive” and promised to brief key party stakeholders before issuing an official response.

“We will consult our broader stakeholders and share the outcomes of our discussion. A formal position will be taken thereafter,” Damagum stated.

In his earlier remarks, Damagum admitted that the ongoing dispute over the National Secretary post—complicated by extended court battles—had significantly hindered the party’s correspondence with INEC.