- SPYETV.COM.NG - A La Une - 25/Jun 23:27

INEC, PDP Resolve on Party's National Secretary Status

At the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, officials of the Peoples’ Democratic Party met behind closed doors with the leadership of the electoral commission. Top of the agenda was the unresolved confusion over the rightful occupant of the party’s National Secretary position.INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, told the People’s Democratic Party's National Working Committee that repeated inconsistencies in the party’s communication had made it difficult for the Commission to identify who truly occupies the key office. The delegation, led by the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, visited the Commission to deliberate on issues surrounding the status of the party’s National Secretary.Welcoming the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, underscored the significance of the engagement, noting that the meeting was convened at the request of the PDP. He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to constructive dialogue with political parties in line with its role as both registrar and regulator of party affairs in Nigeria.“This meeting is at the instance of the party,” Prof. Yakubu noted. “As our stakeholders, we always look forward to engagements with political party leaders. Not long ago, we received a delegation from the Labour Party, so when the PDP expressed its interest to visit, we gladly welcomed the initiative.”The central focus of the meeting was the conflicting claims regarding the identity of the PDP’s National Secretary, a development that has complicated procedural compliance, particularly in relation to NEC meetings.“In the last couple of months, we received letters from the party indicating Mr. Udeh Okoye as the Secretary. Subsequently, the name changed to Senator Samuel Anyanwu, then to Mr. Koshoedo, and later reverted back to Senator Anyanwu,” Prof. Yakubu explained. “The most recent correspondence had no Secretary’s signature at all, only that of the Chairman. This poses a procedural issue, as our guidelines require such communications to be signed jointly by the party’s Chairman and Secretary.”Despite these inconsistencies, the INEC Chairman commended the PDP for its historical compliance. He said, “The meeting in question is your 100th NEC meeting. This means that on 99 previous occasions, you followed the proper procedure.Responding, Acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagun, explained that the issue stems from legal disputes that began early last year and culminated in a Supreme Court ruling. He said the decision to have only his signature on the most recent communication was based on INEC resolution aimed at avoiding further controversy.“I believe this is one of a kind, perhaps the first time leaders from different arms of the PDP are gathered here at INEC for such a discussion,” he said. “We sincerely thank you for this opportunity.”He acknowledged the issues raised by INEC, noting that the matter of the National Secretary has been the subject of litigation, culminating in a Supreme Court judgment in which INEC was a party. We are here today to seek clarity on the current position of the party so we can move forward in accordance with the law and our established guidelines,” he stated.“We’re here today to have an honest and off-camera interaction with you,” he said. “Our NEC made a decision mandating me to sign the letter to INEC to avoid further controversy. We received your response urging compliance with established procedures. This engagement will help guide our position as we move forward.”Ambassador Damagum concluded by highlighting the importance of the closed-door session, which he said would allow for open, productive dialogue between the PDP and the Commission.www.twitter.com/spyetv