By John Dike, Ofulue
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has held an interactive meeting with factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinforce compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Commission’s regulations ahead of forthcoming elections.
Speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the engagement became necessary following multiple correspondences received from different quarters within the PDP, requesting the Commission’s intervention on various internal issues.
He explained that beyond conducting elections, INEC is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to monitor the activities of political parties, stressing that all actions and decisions of the Commission are guided strictly by these responsibilities.
He disclosed that INEC has already released its timetable and schedule of activities to political parties in preparation for upcoming elections, assuring stakeholders that the Commission remains firmly on course to deliver smooth, credible, and transparent polls.
INEC Chairman also drew attention to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, as well as other elections slated for later in the year.
He emphasized the importance of early and continuous engagement with stakeholders to ensure orderly participation and strict adherence to established procedures.
According to him, the meeting was convened to provide a platform for open and constructive dialogue, particularly in view of the conflicting correspondences received from the PDP, with the aim of forging a common understanding and charting a clear path forward.
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 pillars underpinning the Commission’s operations.
He reaffirmed INEC’s unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity of the law, noting that strict adherence to the legal framework remains central to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC Chairman urged participants to engage in frank and productive discussions, expressing confidence that the interactive session would help resolve outstanding issues and promote better coordination ahead of the elections.
He thanked the PDP leaders for honouring the Commission’s invitation and reiterated INEC’s commitment to sustained stakeholder engagement in the interest of credible and transparent elections.
