It was gathered that the meeting was towards preparations for the party’s upcoming National Executive Committee meeting.

There is an ongoing closed-door meeting between the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It was gathered that the meeting was towards preparations for the party’s upcoming National Executive Committee meeting.

They both went into the closed-door meeting immediately after having a press meeting at the INEC headquarters.

Details of the discussions are undisclosed, but the meeting focuses on internal party processes, upcoming elections, and the current status of the party's leadership structure.

Those in attendance include the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; several PDP governors; senior INEC officials; and other key stakeholders.

The meeting comes just hours after SaharaReporters revealed that Damagum distanced himself from recent comments made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, about INEC’s role in scheduling the PDP’s NEC meeting.

In a statement issued on Monday, Damagum clarified that Ologunagba’s remarks were not authorised by the party’s leadership and did not reflect the official position of the PDP.

He described the remarks as “premature” and made without the necessary consultations.

“The comments made by Debo Ologunagba concerning INEC’s communication on the PDP’s 100th NEC meeting were unauthorised and do not reflect the views of the National Working Committee,” Damagum stated.

“They were made without the approval of party leadership and at a time when a scheduled meeting with INEC and party stakeholders is set for Tuesday, June 24, to address the issues raised.”

During a press briefing on Sunday, Ologunagba insisted that INEC lacked the authority to interfere with internal party meetings such as NEC or NWC sessions, citing Nigerian laws and past Supreme Court rulings.

He maintained that INEC’s role was limited to being notified about conventions, congresses, or primaries for electing party officers and candidates.

“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal matters. INEC cannot cancel our meetings,” Ologunagba said.

However, Damagum strongly countered the assertion, stating that the party remains committed to a lawful and united process in handling the issue, and would not tolerate personal views being passed off as party policy.

“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was publicly addressed without due process. This isn’t the first time our Publicity Secretary has acted unilaterally, and it undermines the collective decision-making structures we are striving to protect,” Damagum said.

He added that the party leadership was fully engaged in resolving the situation and would proceed with its planned 100th NEC meeting “in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms,” but with internal consensus and proper coordination.