INEC Assures Smooth FCT, Ekiti, Osun 2026 Polls

INEC Assures Smooth FCT, Ekiti, Osun 2026 Polls

…PDP factions present grievances to electoral umpire

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday assured Nigerians of hitch-free conduct of the forthcoming elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ekiti and Osun states, as it intensified consultations with political parties ahead of the polls.

The FCT Area Council elections are scheduled for February 1, 2026, while the Ekiti governorship election will hold in June 2026 and Osun State’s poll in July 2026.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance while addressing journalists before a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan said the Commission had already issued the timetable and schedule of activities to political parties and was on course to deliver smooth and credible elections in the FCT and the two off-cycle states.

“As a build-up to these elections, we have issued our 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 councils of the FCT and in the off-cycle states,” he said.

He explained that the meeting with PDP leaders was convened following the receipt of conflicting correspondences from different factions within the party, noting that INEC considered dialogue necessary to chart a way forward.

“We decided to invite all the parties, especially because we received conflicting correspondences from the PDP. We felt that by rubbing minds together, it would be a good opportunity to forge the way forward concerning the elections,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman stressed that the Commission was guided strictly by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its own regulations, describing the legal framework as the tripod upon which the Commission operates.

“We are mindful of the need to maintain the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, as well as the Electoral Act and the regulations made by INEC. We are determined to follow the provisions of the law,” he added.

Meanwhile, details emerged from the meeting between INEC and the warring factions of the PDP, which has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis.

The PDP is currently split between a faction led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and another led by Kabiru Turaki, supported by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Speaking after the meeting, Anyanwu commended the INEC chairman for convening the dialogue, describing it as a demonstration of wisdom and fairness.

He said INEC’s intervention showed its desire for the PDP to remain a strong opposition party, adding that both factions were given the opportunity to outline their grievances.

“INEC is looking at the issues and options on how to bring peace to the party. We have pointed out where the problems are coming from. As a responsible party, we believe in the rule of law, the Electoral Act and our party guidelines,” Anyanwu said.

He expressed confidence that the PDP would emerge stronger from the crisis.

On his part, Turaki said the faction he represents welcomed the meeting, noting that the Commission had listened to all sides, even as some of the issues remain before the courts.

He acknowledged that while INEC could not usurp the role of the judiciary, the Commission promised to carefully consider the submissions made by both factions.

Turaki likened the process to elders listening to disputing parties in a bid to achieve reconciliation, stressing that giving all sides a hearing was in the interest of fairness.

The meeting, according to observers, underscored INEC’s effort to ensure that internal party disputes do not undermine preparations for the 2026 elections, as the Commission continues consultations with stakeholders ahead of the polls.