INEC Meets PDP factions ahead of FCT Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday convened a meeting with the two contending factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its headquarters in Abuja, in a bid to address internal disputes ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The meeting brought together the Tanimu Turaki-led faction and the Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulrahman Mohammed faction.

Turaki was accompanied by members of his National Working Committee (NWC), secretariat staff and former Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, while  Mohammed attended the meeting alongside members of his national caretaker committee, including its secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) said the engagement became necessary following “conflicting correspondences” received from the PDP.

He stressed the commission’s resolve to ensure clarity and order as preparations intensify for the FCT and 2026 off-cycle elections.

He disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections are scheduled for February, 2026, while governorship elections will be held in Ekiti in June 2026 and Osun in July 2026, noting that INEC had already issued the timetable and schedule of activities to political parties.

“As a build-up to these elections, we have issued our own schedule of activities to all the political parties, and we are on course to ensure that we have very smooth elections in the FCT and the off-cycle states,” he said.

The INEC chairman explained that the commission decided to invite the PDP leadership to “rub minds together” and chart a way forward, expressing satisfaction that senior party officials from both sides were present to engage constructively.

“We are guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the regulations made by INEC,” he said, adding that the commission is determined to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and existing electoral laws.

According to him, INEC operates within “a tripod of three legal regimes—the Constitution, the Electoral Act and our regulations,” assuring that the commission will strictly adhere to the law in managing party affairs as they affect the electoral process.

The meeting is expected to help clarify leadership issues within the PDP and ensure compliance with electoral guidelines ahead of the polls.

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