As internal tensions deepen within the Peoples Democratic Party, party governors are set to meet with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja today.
The meeting is expected to focus on the protracted leadership dispute over the office of the National Secretary and the controversy surrounding the party’s 100th National Executive Committee meeting.
The meeting, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at INEC’s Conference Hall, was officially communicated through a letter dated June 18 and signed by the commission’s Acting Secretary, Halliru Aminu.
Multiple sources within the PDP National Working Committee confirmed that the leadership struggle between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu over the position of National Secretary will be at the heart of today’s deliberations. The disagreement has significantly hindered the party’s internal cohesion and delayed key meetings.
Senator Anyanwu, backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has been at odds with the faction loyal to Udeh-Okoye. The impasse has contributed to repeated postponements of NEC meetings and introduced legal uncertainties around the party’s leadership structure.
In a bid to restore order, the PDP appointed Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas found that INEC still officially recognises Senator Anyanwu as the substantive National Secretary.
The party’s 99th NEC session had earmarked June 30 for its historic 100th meeting. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum formally notified INEC on May 30. However, INEC declined to acknowledge the notice, stating that such communication must be jointly signed by both the national chairman and national secretary—an administrative requirement that was not met.
In a letter titled “Re: Request for Audience with the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission,” INEC responded to the PDP’s earlier request for an engagement by offering an alternative date and time for the meeting.
The letter read:
“Your letter Ref. PDP/DOM/GF.2/VIL.ID/25-093 dated 17th June 2025 on the above subject refers.
The Commission is constrained to inform you that the requested date for the meeting is not convenient. However, we propose that the meeting should hold as follows.
Date: Tuesday, 24th June 2025, Venue: Commission’s Conference Hall, Time: 2:00 p.m.
Accept the assurances of the Commission’s highest regards.”
At a press briefing on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba criticised INEC’s involvement, stating that the commission had no constitutional mandate over the party’s routine NWC or NEC meetings.
“INEC cannot cancel our meetings. It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters. INEC has no authority to do so,” Ologunagba said.
“Under Nigerian law and our constitution, INEC’s role is limited to receiving notifications of conventions or congresses for electing officers or candidates.”
He added that any changes to the NEC schedule would be properly communicated to the public.
A senior PDP official told The Punch that resolving the secretaryship issue and clarifying INEC’s stance will dominate the meeting’s agenda.
“The meeting is about the National Secretary and the 100th NEC meeting. The governors and other leaders will determine who INEC recognises and how best to move forward,” the source said.
“We expect clarity, and hopefully, this will help resolve some of the internal tensions affecting the party.”
