INEC wades into PDP leadership tussle, urges compliance with electoral laws

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, 19th December 2025, hosted factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an interactive meeting to strengthen compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Commission’s regulations ahead of forthcoming elections.

Addressing party leaders at the meeting held on Friday, 19 December 2025, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the engagement became necessary following a number of correspondences received from different quarters within the party, requesting the Commission’s intervention on various issues.

Professor Amupitan noted that INEC is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to monitor the activities of political parties, in addition to its responsibility of conducting elections, stressing that these obligations guide all the Commission’s actions and decisions.

He informed the participants that the Commission has already issued its timetable and schedule of activities to political parties as part of preparations for the forthcoming elections, adding that INEC remains on course to deliver smooth and credible polls.

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The INEC Chairman drew attention to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for 21 February 2026, as well as other elections lined up for later in the year, emphasizing the importance of early engagement with stakeholders to ensure orderly participation and compliance with established procedures.

According to him, the meeting was convened to provide a platform for open and constructive engagement, particularly in view of the conflicting correspondence received from the PDP, with a view to forging a common understanding and charting a clear path forward.

He assured party leaders that the Commission would be guided strictly by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and INEC’s regulations and guidelines, which he described as the three legal frameworks underpinning the Commission’s operations.

Professor Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s determination to uphold the sanctity of the law at all times, noting that adherence to the legal framework remains central to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

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He urged participants to engage in frank and productive discussions, expressing confidence that the interactive session would help address outstanding issues and promote a more coordinated approach ahead of the elections.

The INEC Chairman thanked the party officials for honouring the Commission’s invitation and reiterated INEC’s commitment to continuous stakeholder engagement in the interest of credible and transparent elections.

Reacting after the meeting the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, on behalf of the Tanimu Turaki – led National Working Committee, NWC, said the party is awaiting court verdict on PDP leadership.

The spokesperson in a statement said
“earlier today, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN invited the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and some former members of our party who are claiming to be in different leadership positions in the party, to in his words “find a way to resolve the lingering crisis in the party”.

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Both sides exhaustively presented the facts of the situation and confirmed that the issues are now before the Court of Appeal.

“At the end, the INEC Chairman concluded that the meeting was called to hear from both sides, though the commission is aware of the pending cases at the Court of Appeal and that the Commission awaits the final judgement of the Court on the matter.

According to the statement, at the end of the meeting, National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki SAN said “As the authentic leadership of the party that emerged at a valid convention(though contested in court), while awaiting the pronouncement of the court, we will continue to undertake the duties of an opposition party, which is to hold government to account on critical issues like security, infrastructure, education, healthcare etc.”