Professor Nasiru Hassan Wagini: The Nigerian Professor Who Sells Vegetables

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stood its ground in defiance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that its planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold as scheduled on June 30, 2025. This move comes amid rising internal tensions and conflicting interpretations of INEC’s regulatory powers over political party affairs.
INEC had earlier issued a cautionary advisory, urging the PDP to reconsider the timing of the NEC meeting. The commission reportedly raised concerns over the procedural compliance and internal disputes within the party, suggesting that the meeting could further complicate the party’s leadership crisis and breach certain sections of the Electoral Act.
However, the PDP leadership has dismissed INEC’s intervention, describing it as an overreach into internal party matters. In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the PDP maintained that it is fully within its constitutional rights to convene the NEC meeting, citing party autonomy and the need to urgently address critical issues, including leadership structure, disciplinary actions, and upcoming electoral strategies.
Observers believe the June 30 NEC meeting is pivotal for the future of the PDP, particularly as the party seeks to rebuild its image ahead of the 2027 general elections. Some stakeholders see the meeting as an opportunity to realign party leadership and strengthen internal democracy, while others fear it may deepen existing divisions if not handled with unity and fairness.
INEC’s silence on whether it would take punitive actions if the meeting proceeds has only added to the political suspense. Nevertheless, the PDP appears determined to proceed, setting the stage for a potential legal or political standoff between Nigeria’s electoral umpire and one of its oldest political parties.
As the date approaches, political watchers will be keenly observing whether the PDP can manage its internal crisis while maintaining democratic credibility in the eyes of the public.
Comments