… Commission Faults Lack of Proper Endorsement by Party Leadership
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the notice submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing non-compliance with established electoral regulations.
In a letter dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to the PDP’s National Chairman, the electoral commission noted that the party’s notification failed to meet procedural standards as stipulated in the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The letter, which was signed by INEC’s Acting Secretary, Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, pointedly referenced Part 2(12)3 of the guidelines, which states: “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.”
INEC, therefore, deemed the submitted notification invalid, as it was signed solely by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, without the mandatory co-signature of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice is not in compliance with the relevant provisions. Be guided accordingly,” the letter read in part.
The PDP had, in a correspondence dated May 30, 2025, informed INEC of its intention to convene the 100th NEC meeting at its National Secretariat in Abuja. While the notice was submitted within the legally prescribed 21-day window, its rejection now casts uncertainty over the planned meeting, raising fresh concerns over internal compliance and coordination within the party hierarchy.
Political analysts have interpreted INEC’s rejection as a procedural warning to all political parties on the importance of adhering strictly to statutory requirements.
