INEC Rejects PDP NEC Meeting Notice Over Procedural Breach Amid Party Leadership Crisis
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally rejected a notice by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a violation of electoral regulations that has further exposed the internal leadership rift plaguing Nigeria’s main opposition party.
INEC, in a letter dated June 13, 2025, addressed to the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, said the notice for the NEC meeting was not properly signed in accordance with its legal guidelines.
The letter, signed by INEC’s acting secretary Haliru Aminu, stated that the commission could not recognise the notice because it was not jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, as stipulated in Part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of Part 2(12)3… that provides ‘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,” the INEC letter reads.
A Crisis Deepened
The rejection is the latest twist in the prolonged leadership crisis that has rocked the PDP since the 2023 general elections, which the party lost at both the presidential and several state levels.
Following the suspension and eventual exit of former National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP has struggled to maintain cohesion, with multiple factions emerging across geopolitical lines.
The current impasse stems from disputes over who rightfully occupies the party’s top leadership positions. With Ayu’s removal, Umar Damagum stepped in as Acting National Chairman, but his legitimacy has been contested by several party stakeholders, especially those aligned with the G5 governors—a group of five influential PDP governors who openly opposed the party’s presidential ticket in 2023.
Compounding the issue is the alleged resignation of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who left to contest the 2023 Imo State governorship election.
While some factions insist Anyanwu did not formally relinquish his position, others argue the role is now vacant, thereby affecting the procedural legitimacy of any actions requiring a joint signature from the Chairman and Secretary.
Legal and Political Implications
Legal analysts suggest INEC’s rejection may invalidate any resolutions or decisions made at the improperly convened NEC meeting.
This development could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts and deepen factional divides as the PDP prepares for future elections, including off-cycle gubernatorial polls in Edo and Ondo States.
A senior PDP source who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed dismay, saying:
“This is a technical blow, but also a political one. We’ve been warning about the need to properly constitute the NEC notice in line with INEC’s requirements. This is now a major embarrassment to the party at a critical time.”
INEC’s intervention is likely to embolden dissenting voices within the party, some of whom have already petitioned the courts to halt all national party activities pending a judicial resolution of the leadership tussle.
What’s Next?
Observers say the PDP may be forced to reconvene under a properly constituted leadership or seek judicial interpretation to clarify the standing of its acting officers.
Failure to resolve the matter swiftly could cost the party more than credibility—it could risk INEC not recognising decisions taken during the meeting, including those related to zoning, disciplinary action, or even future primaries.
This episode reinforces the calls by party elders and stakeholders for a full national convention to elect substantive national officers, restore internal democracy, and begin rebuilding public trust.
As the PDP continues to grapple with its identity and leadership in the post-2023 political landscape, the question remains whether it can emerge united and reenergized—or whether it will further fracture under the weight of its unresolved internal battles.
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