A delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has engaged leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), over the lingering controversy surrounding the rightful occupant of the party’s National Secretary position.
The meeting held at INEC headquarters Abuja was requested by the PDP and attended by prominent figures including four state governors and several party bigwigs .
Before newsmen were driven out of hearing reach, Damagum acknowledged the seriousness of matter and the need for transparent engagement with the commission. He referenced the legal battles and a Supreme Court ruling that had involved INEC, adding that the party had taken steps through its National Eexecutive Committee (NEC), to resolve the dispute by mandating him to communicate a position to INEC.
“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, expressing the party’s readiness for guidance and collaboration.
Responding, INEC Chairman,
Mahmood Yakubu, stressed that the commission remains open to engagement with all registered political parties and reiterated INEC’s regulatory neutrality.
Yakubu disclosed that the letter to INEC, an invitation to monitor PDP’s 100th NEC meeting was signed by only the chairman stressing that the Commission had monitored 99 of such meetings with letters bearing signatures of both chairman and secretary.
He also expressed concern over what he described as “inconsistencies” in the PDP’s communication to the commission, pointing out that different names had been presented at different times as the party’s National Secretary.
“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.
“The closed-door meeting is expected to provide a platform for INEC to advise the PDP on how to resolve its internal leadership challenges in accordance with party rules and the commission’s guidelines”, he said.
The PDP delegation included notable party leaders such as: Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum
Also present were former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Governors Ahmad Makarfi and Seriake Dickson, and former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi.
