The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday stepped into the leadership crisis affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), inviting the party’s opposing factions to its headquarters in Abuja.
The engagement brought together the faction led by Tanimu Turaki and the group headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, which is reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Turaki attended the meeting with members of his National Working Committee, secretariat officials and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, while Mohammed was accompanied by members of his national caretaker committee, including its secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.
In his opening remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, explained that the commission’s intervention was prompted by a series of conflicting letters received from different factions of the party.
“This meeting has become necessary because we have received several correspondence from various sides requesting one thing or the other.
“And we are aware that INEC is charged statutorily under the Act and under the Constitution to monitor the activities of political parties,” he said.
He added that the decision to convene the meeting was also influenced by preparations for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, as well as the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states fixed for June and July 2026, respectively.
“And 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 a very smooth election at the area council of FCT and at Ekiti and Osun states.
“We have received conflicting correspondence from the PDP, and we felt that rubbing minds together would be a good opportunity for us to forge the way forward concerning the elections.
“And I’m happy that this morning we have the very top officials that are present here so that we can discuss as a family and see how the issues can be resolved and we move forward,” he said.
The INEC chairman emphasised that the commission’s intervention was guided strictly by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its internal regulations, while assuring all parties of its impartiality.
“So we are mindful of the need for us to maintain the sanctity of the Constitution of Nigeria. Actually, INEC sits on a tripod, comprising three legal regimes: the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the regulations that have been made. So, we are determined to ensure that we follow the provisions of the various laws, the Constitution and the regulations that we have made.
“So without much ado, I want to welcome all of you, and I request that we should have very, very frank discussions to ensure that we can achieve the objective of this meeting,” he said.
After the opening statements, the meeting moved into a closed-door session.
The engagement is expected to produce recommendations aimed at resolving the PDP’s internal crisis ahead of the upcoming elections.
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