PDP Slams INEC Over ‘Unsolicited Interference’ in Internal Affairs

PDP Slams INEC Over ‘Unsolicited Interference’ in Internal Affairs.
INEC only needed for elections, not routine sessions.
NEC to review national convention preparation progress.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as undue interference in its internal activities.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the party made it clear that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to regulate its meetings, particularly the National Executive Committee (NEC) sessions, unless such meetings involve the election of party officials or candidates.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, addressed journalists on Sunday, ahead of the party’s 100th NEC meeting slated for June 30, 2025. Ologunagba explained that while the PDP had formally notified INEC about the upcoming meeting in line with the party’s tradition, there was no legal requirement for INEC to participate in or regulate such gatherings.

“INEC has no role in the routine meetings of the National Working Committee (NWC) or the NEC. These are strictly internal party matters, and the Supreme Court has affirmed this position in several rulings,” Ologunagba said.

He stressed that the Electoral Act only mandates INEC’s presence at conventions, congresses, or primaries where elections of party officers or candidates are involved. “We never indicated that the forthcoming meeting would involve electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates. Yet, the Acting Secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu, wrongly assigned an electoral purpose to our meeting,” he added.

Ologunagba noted that the primary focus of the upcoming 100th NEC meeting is to assess the party’s preparations for its national convention. He also disclosed that reports from the Zoning and Convention Committees, established during the 99th NEC meeting, would be presented and reviewed.

“At the 99th NEC, we all agreed to hold the next session on June 30. The Zoning and Convention Committees were properly constituted, and consultations with key stakeholders and party organs are ongoing,” he stated.