Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has insisted it will proceed with a key national meeting scheduled for 30 June, despite objections from the country’s electoral commission, INEC.
At a press conference in the capital, Abuja, on Sunday, the PDP stated that INEC had no authority to prevent a statutory meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC).
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, questioned the motives of INEC’s acting secretary, Halilu Aminu, accusing him of overstepping his role by attempting to define the purpose of the party’s meeting.
The PDP, which was the dominant political force in Nigeria for many years, has faced internal challenges since its defeat in the 2015 elections. These include leadership disputes and disagreements over party positions.
One ongoing issue is the battle for the role of National Secretary between two individuals, Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is reportedly backed by the powerful Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This dispute has led to repeated delays in NEC meetings.
The PDP had appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting National Secretary to try and resolve the issue. However, a fact-finding committee claimed that INEC still recognises Mr Anyanwu as the legitimate secretary.
Following a previous NEC meeting, the PDP announced its intention to hold its 100th NEC meeting on 30 June and notified INEC in May. However, INEC rejected the notification, citing regulations requiring such letters to be jointly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary.
Responding to INEC’s stance, Mr Ologunagba argued that Nigerian law and the PDP’s constitution limit INEC’s role to being notified about conventions, congresses, or primary elections where party officials or candidates are being elected.
He asserted that regular meetings of the NEC are internal party matters, referencing rulings by Nigeria’s Supreme Court. Mr Ologunagba stated that the PDP’s upcoming NEC meeting would focus on preparations for its national convention, including reports from various committees established earlier.
He accused INEC of attempting to interfere in the party’s internal affairs, suggesting a motive to weaken opposition parties and potentially create a one-party state.
Mr Ologunagba clarified that the upcoming meeting was not for the purpose of electing officers, conducting primaries, or discussing mergers with other parties. He questioned why INEC’s acting secretary had unilaterally assumed such a purpose.
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