The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its decision to hold its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on June 30, 2025, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejecting the notice of the meeting.

At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described INEC’s action as “an unwarranted interference” in the party’s internal affairs, insisting that the NEC meeting does not fall under the category requiring INEC’s approval.

“We did not state that the meeting was for electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates. Yet, INEC decided to assign a purpose to our meeting,” Ologunagba said.

INEC had last week rejected the party’s notification letter, citing non-compliance with Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which mandates that notices for conventions, congresses, or meetings involving elections must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary.

The letter from INEC’s Acting Secretary, Haliru Aminu, contended that the PDP failed to meet that requirement.

In response, the PDP argued that the NEC meeting was a routine internal gathering, not involving elections or primaries, and therefore did not require such dual signatories. The party noted that its 21-day notice, submitted on May 13, was duly acknowledged by INEC the same day.

“This is a regular statutory meeting to review preparations for our forthcoming National Convention, including updates from the Zoning and Convention Committees constituted at the 99th NEC,” Ologunagba explained.

He also dismissed reports that the party intended to confirm a new National Secretary at the meeting, a claim that reportedly informed INEC’s rejection of the notice.

“How can INEC, on its own, assign an agenda to our meeting?” he queried. “Who is the acting secretary of INEC working for?”

Ologunagba warned that INEC’s conduct could undermine democratic processes and erode international confidence in Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

“INEC must be cautious in its actions. Attempts like this to meddle in a party’s internal processes only raise questions about neutrality and democratic credibility.”

The PDP vowed to proceed with its scheduled NEC meeting as planned, stating it would not allow bureaucratic overreach to derail its internal calendar.