ABUJA, NIGERIA — June 18, 2025 | By IDNN Political Bureau
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the notice submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its forthcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a breach of its 2022 guidelines on political party administration.
In a letter dated June 13, 2025, INEC pointed to a failure to obtain joint signatures from the PDP’s National Chairman and National Secretary—an explicit requirement under Part 2(12)3 of the Commission’s regulations. The submitted letter, signed only by Acting Chairman Umar Damagum, lacked the necessary co-signature from the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
“The notice is not in compliance,” INEC stated bluntly, urging the party to be guided accordingly.
The fallout is expected to be immediate and far-reaching, as the June 30 NEC meeting was billed to address multiple party crises, including the festering leadership conflict, lingering zoning disputes, and coalition-building for the 2027 elections.
⚖️ INTERNAL POWER STRUGGLE EXPOSED
The INEC rejection reopens bitter wounds within the PDP. The root of the issue lies in the unresolved battle over the position of National Secretary. Samuel Anyanwu, who left the office to contest the Imo governorship in 2023, is seeking to reclaim it, but the Southeast Caucus replaced him with Sunday Ude-Okoye in his absence.
While Anyanwu’s loyalists claim he never resigned formally, the caucus and some party elders argue he forfeited the seat. The controversy has left the party unable to present a united administrative front.
“This is more than a technical error. It’s a reflection of the party’s deep rot,” one PDP chieftain told IDNN.
DEFECTIONS AND DIVISIONS
The PDP has been hemorrhaging members since the 2023 elections. High-profile figures such as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his deputy Monday Onyeme have defected to the APC, joining others in abandoning a party many now describe as rudderless.
The botched NEC meeting only fuels the perception of dysfunction.
“How do you fail a basic compliance check for your most important meeting of the year?” a source in the National Assembly lamented.
ATIKU, OBI & THE FUTURE OF OPPOSITION
Amid the chaos, 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is quietly leading consultations to unify opposition forces. His recent overtures to Peter Obi and even Nasir El-Rufai suggest a bigger realignment may be in motion—a last-ditch effort to create a formidable bloc against the APC ahead of 2027.
But not all PDP leaders are sold. Some, like Bode George, believe the party must first resolve internal divisions before talking alliances.
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