INEC, PDP Hold Closed-Door Talks Over National Secretary Dispute Ahead of NEC Meeting

By Iyojo Ameh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to address lingering concerns surrounding the party’s National Secretary ahead of its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.

The meeting, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja, was attended by top PDP stakeholders led by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagun. Also present were Governors Dauda Lawan (Zamfara), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), along with other senior party figures.

At the center of the discussion was INEC’s recent correspondence questioning the validity of the invitation to monitor the NEC meeting. The letter, INEC noted, was signed solely by the party chairman, without the co-signature of the National Secretary — a deviation from established protocol.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, while addressing the PDP delegation, reiterated the Commission’s openness to engagement with political parties and emphasized the importance of adhering to due process.

“You may recall that not long ago we received a similar visit from the Labour Party. So when the PDP said it would visit, we welcomed the opportunity,” Yakubu said.

He explained that INEC had received conflicting communications from the PDP over the past few months regarding the identity of the party’s National Secretary.

“In recent months, we have received letters from the party indicating that Mr. Sam Okoye was the secretary. Later, the party named Senator Anyanwu, then Mr. Shokoedwe, and again reverted to Senator Anyanwu. The latest letter had no secretary at all,” Yakubu stated.

He emphasized that the Commission has received 99 previous invitations from the PDP for NEC meetings, all signed by both the chairman and secretary, and that the 100th meeting should not be an exception.

“We are here as the registrar and regulator of political parties. We hope that during this working session, we will gain a full understanding of your position and what is expected of us going forward,” he added.

In his remarks, PDP Acting Chairman Iliya Damagun said the party was at INEC to discuss important internal matters, which he preferred to be addressed away from the cameras.

“We are here today to discuss and interact with you on some key issues that concern our party, which I prefer to be off camera,” Damagun said.

Following the meeting, Damagun declined to comment on the outcome, stating that the party leadership would first brief stakeholders across the states before making any public statement.

The meeting comes at a critical moment for the PDP, as the party prepares for a landmark NEC session while navigating internal leadership disputes and striving to maintain its organizational integrity.