By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Nigeria’s electoral umpire is stepping in early as political tensions simmer ahead of upcoming elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday convened an interactive meeting with factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling a firm push to enforce compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Commission’s regulations before the next round of polls.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the meeting — held on December 19, 2025 — was prompted by multiple and sometimes conflicting letters from within the PDP, requesting the Commission’s intervention in internal party matters.

The INEC Boss Amupitan reminded party leaders that INEC’s role extends beyond conducting elections to constitutionally monitoring the activities of political parties, stressing that the law guides every decision taken by the Commission.
He noted that INEC has already released its timetable and schedule of activities for the forthcoming elections and assured stakeholders that preparations remain on track for credible and orderly polls.

Attention was drawn to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, alongside other elections expected later in the year. According to the INEC chairman, early engagement with political parties is crucial to preventing disputes and ensuring compliance with established procedures.

“This meeting provides a platform for open and constructive engagement,” Amupitan said, adding that INEC hopes to resolve inconsistencies in the PDP’s submissions and help the party chart a clear path forward.
He emphasized that the Commission would be guided strictly by three legal pillars: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and INEC’s regulations and guidelines.
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to the rule of law, Amupitan said adherence to these frameworks is essential to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He urged PDP leaders to engage frankly during the session and expressed confidence that the dialogue would help resolve outstanding issues ahead of the elections.

The meeting ended with the INEC chairman thanking party officials for honoring the invitation and reiterating the Commission’s resolve to maintain continuous engagement with stakeholders in pursuit of transparent and credible elections.