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By Tracy Moses
ABUJA – The lingering dispute between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the party’s planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30 may see some resolution as both parties are set to meet on Tuesday.
INEC, in a letter addressed to PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, confirmed that it would hold a meeting with the party’s leadership on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Commission’s conference hall in Abuja.
The electoral body and the opposition party have been at odds following INEC’s objection to the notice of the NEC meeting.
Recall that the Commission had earlier rejected the party’s notification, initially conveyed in a May 30 letter signed solely by Damagum, citing non-compliance with Section 2(12)(3) of its 2022 Guidelines for Political Parties. According to the provision, such notice must be jointly signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, accused INEC of acting at the behest of certain interests seeking to undermine the party and disrupt its NEC gathering.
However, in a sharp turn of events, PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Damagum, on Monday dissociated the party from Ologunagba’s remarks. In a statement titled “Acting Chairman Denounces Unauthorized Commentary by PDP Publicity Secretary,” Damagum said the comments were made without the knowledge or endorsement of the National Working Committee (NWC).
His statement read in part, “My attention has been drawn to public comments made by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, regarding the PDP’s forthcoming 100th NEC meeting and alleged positions concerning INEC’s correspondence. Let me categorically state that the statements attributed to Hon. Ologunagba were not authorized by the NWC.
“It is particularly troubling that such a delicate issue was addressed publicly without the necessary internal consultations, especially when a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, between the PDP leadership and the INEC Chairman to address the concerns raised in the Commission’s earlier letter.
“The views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that interaction were his personal opinions and should not be construed as the official stance of the PDP.”
Damagum further noted that this was not the first time the publicity secretary had acted independently, disregarding established party processes. While affirming the party’s commitment to preserving its internal decision-making autonomy, he emphasized the need for discipline and coordination.
“The PDP remains resolute in its plans to hold the 100th NEC meeting in accordance with its constitution and democratic standards,” Damagum stated. “However, such plans must proceed through consensus and institutional procedures, not unilateral declarations.”
He assured party members and the public that the leadership remains committed to resolving all outstanding issues transparently and in the best interest of the party.