Leaders opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday went into a close door meeting at Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission after INEC rejected the party’s notification for its 100th NEC meeting, citing procedural issues and a leadership dispute over the national secretary.
In attendance are the PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and PDP Governors’ Forum including Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Caleb Mutfwang and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Just before the meeting went into a closed door, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said they were at the Commission to engage INEC on pressing internal matters affecting the PDP, particularly those requiring the Commission’s regulatory clarification.
“We are here today to discuss and interact with you sincerely because we had NEC and there was a decision… to avoid controversy. And I have received your reply on that letter urging us to be guided by such rules,” Damagum said.
In his response, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed that the commission remains open to engagement with all registered political parties and reiterated INEC’s regulatory neutrality.
“We have received correspondences naming Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo for the same position. This situation calls for clarity,” Yakubu said, referring to the inconsistencies in PDP’s communication with INEC.
