INEC officials storm PDP Convention in Abuja
On Sunday, officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its national convention. The event was organised by the National Caretaker Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. According to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, top INEC officials in attendance included National Commissioners Prof. Sani Adams and Dr Ken Ukeagu. Other senior officials present included Director of Election and Party Monitoring, Joan Arabs; Director of Legal Services, Rakiya Nauzo; and Director of Drafting and Clearance, Nkechi Abuh. The convention is expected to produce members of the party's National Working Committee who will oversee the party's affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The convention has been scheduled to run from Sunday to Monday, despite internal wrangling within the party and ongoing legal disputes over a parallel convention held by a faction of PDP governors in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025. The caretaker committee has maintained that there is no court order stopping the convention, and all legal and procedural requirements have been met. The committee's spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, assured party members of a credible and transparent process.
The presence of INEC officials at the PDP convention raises questions about the commission's impartiality ahead of the 2027 general elections. The fact that top INEC officials are attending the convention suggests that the commission may be taking sides in the internal wrangling within the PDP. This development is particularly concerning given the ongoing legal disputes over a parallel convention held by a faction of PDP governors. The PDP's internal struggles and the presence of INEC officials at the convention have significant implications for the party's ability to present a united front in the 2027 general elections. As the party navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen whether the convention will produce a credible and effective National Working Committee.
