Tension Rises: INEC Confronts PDP Over Shocking NEC Meeting Irregularities

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for June 30, 2025, stating that the party’s notice did not meet electoral regulations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a letter dated June 13, 2025, addressed to the PDP National Chairman and referenced as INEC/DEPM/PDP/286/iii/80, the commission pointed out procedural irregularities in the submitted notice. The letter, titled “RE: NOTICE OF 100TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY,” was obtained by PUNCH on Tuesday.

INEC noted that the notice failed to comply with Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which mandates that both the National Chairman and the National Secretary must jointly sign any notification for party conventions, congresses, conferences, or meetings.

Quoting directly from the letter signed by INEC Acting Secretary Mathru Aminu, the commission stated:

“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement… which provides that ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.’ Be guided.”

This warning follows an earlier notification from the PDP, dated May 30, in which the party formally informed INEC of its intention to hold the milestone NEC meeting at its National Secretariat in Abuja. However, the notification was signed solely by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, complying with the 21-day notice rule but contravening the dual-signature mandate.

Party insiders say the upcoming NEC meeting is expected to address several unresolved internal issues — including the dispute over the National Secretary position, ratification of recent zonal congresses, and review of key committee reports.

The PDP has continued to struggle with internal turmoil both before and after the 2023 general elections, with visible cracks in its structures across Rivers State, the South-South, and South-East regions. Leadership tussles, delays in strategic decisions, and rising factionalism have led to the defection of several high-profile figures — most recently Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The rescheduled NEC meeting — following six previous postponements — is now seen as a critical moment for the PDP’s stability and future direction.