INEC Seeks Clarification on PDP’s National Secretary

Oru Leonard 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has requested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to clarify the status of its National Secretary following a series of conflicting letters from the party. This development was disclosed during a meeting between INEC and PDP leaders at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the meeting was initiated by the PDP to discuss the party’s invitation to INEC to monitor its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. However, the invitation letter was signed only by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, contrary to INEC’s guidelines requiring signatures from both the Chairman and Secretary.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, expressed concerns over the conflicting letters from the PDP, naming different individuals as the National Secretary. The letters mentioned Mr. Ude Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu as the Secretary, with the latest letter having no Secretary’s signature.

In responding to INEC’s, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, thanked INEC for the meeting opportunity, explaining that the party was seeking clarification on the issue. He mentioned that the party had gone to court over the matter and was now seeking to interact with INEC to resolve the issue.

The meeting later went into a closed-door session involving senior INEC officials and PDP stakeholders to discuss the matter further and find a resolution.

This development highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP and the need for clarity on the party’s leadership structure. INEC’s engagement with the PDP demonstrates its commitment to ensuring compliance with electoral regulations and guidelines.