The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, December 19, 2025, hosted factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an interactive meeting aimed at strengthening compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Commission’s regulations ahead of forthcoming elections.
Speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the engagement became necessary following several correspondences received from different quarters within the PDP, requesting the Commission’s intervention on various internal issues.
Professor Amupitan noted that INEC is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to monitor the activities of political parties, in addition to its responsibility for conducting elections, stressing that these obligations guide all the Commission’s actions and decisions.
He informed party leaders that INEC had already issued its timetable and schedule of activities to political parties as part of preparations for the forthcoming elections, adding that the Commission remains on course to deliver smooth and credible polls.
The INEC Chairman drew attention to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, as well as other elections lined up later in the year, emphasizing the need for early engagement with stakeholders to ensure orderly participation and strict 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 the aim of forging a common understanding and charting a clear path forward.
Professor Amupitan 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.
He 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.
The INEC Chairman 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.
He 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.
