The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to settle its internal disputes ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council, Ekiti, and Osun governorship elections.
The Commission summoned leaders of the two rival factions to its headquarters in Abuja to discuss the growing concerns over the party’s internal crisis.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction attended with members of its working committee, secretariat staff, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu. The faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, led by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, was represented by members of the National Caretaker Committee, including Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said the intervention became necessary after the Commission received conflicting correspondence from both sides.
“This meeting is necessary because we have received several correspondence from various sides requesting one thing or the other. INEC is charged under the Constitution and the Electoral Act to monitor the activities of political parties,” Amupitan said.
He noted that the intervention was critical in preparation for the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls slated for June and July 2026, respectively.
“As a build-up to these elections, we have issued a schedule of activities to all political parties. We are committed to ensuring smooth elections in FCT, Ekiti, and Osun. We felt that bringing party leaders together would provide an opportunity to resolve lingering issues,” he said.
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Amupitan assured both factions of INEC’s neutrality, stressing that the Commission’s actions are guided strictly by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and internal regulations.
“We are determined to follow the provisions of the laws, the Constitution, and the regulations. I welcome all of you and request frank discussions to achieve the objective of this meeting,” he added.
After the meeting, Turaki said his team had initially expected discussions to focus on housekeeping issues but was surprised to see former members of his party, who had been expelled, also invited.
He said INEC explained that all parties’ presence was necessary to explore solutions to the party’s lingering challenges. “We presented our position clearly. Even though the matters are before the Court of Appeal, INEC assured us they will consider our submissions seriously,” Turaki said.
The former minister emphasized INEC’s role as a neutral umpire, noting that “transparent elections require the participation of all major stakeholders; otherwise, the process is cast in doubt.”
Senator Sam Anyanwu, representing the Wike group, argued that the PDP’s leadership officially expired on December 9, 2025, creating a vacuum that necessitated a caretaker committee.
“The life span of the leadership expired on December 9. A caretaker committee was appointed with Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed as Chairman and me as Secretary. The court nullified the convention in Oyo State, so there was no valid convention. Nature abhors a vacuum,” he said.
Anyanwu praised INEC’s approach, describing the chairman as “blessed with wisdom” and commending the Commission’s efforts to maintain the PDP as a credible opposition party.
