Political parties have raised concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s newly unveiled 2026 draft regulations for political parties, warning that certain provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a consultative meeting in Abuja, leaders, under the Inter-Party Advisory Council, criticised requirements such as mandatory direct primaries and strict submission of membership registers, describing them as impractical and exclusionary.

They urged INEC and the National Assembly to review the rules to safeguard transparency, inclusivity, and public confidence in the electoral process.

The concerns were raised after the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, unveiled a revised draft of its 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, seeking their input to strengthen the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, raised concerns over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, warning that unresolved issues could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

“Critical issues, if not urgently addressed, could jeopardise the success of the 2027 General Election,” he said.

Dantalle described the law as falling short of public expectations, arguing that it represented a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.

“Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression,” he stated,

He noted that Nigerians had anticipated a more inclusive and people-oriented framework as he criticised provisions he said placed undue pressure on political parties, particularly those outside the government, and called for a review of the mandatory direct primaries.

“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties,” he said, urging the National Assembly to restore indirect primaries as an option.

The IPAC chairman further described as impractical and exclusionary, the requirement for parties to submit membership registers, including National Identification Numbers, within a limited timeframe.

He also called for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, warning against a repeat of past lapses.

“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people,” he added.

Dantalle emphasised the need for stronger measures against electoral malpractice, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, while urging stakeholders to rebuild public trust in the system.

“The credibility of the commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count,” he said.

He added that the international community would be closely watching Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

Earlier, Amupitan stressed that credible elections begin long before voting day, emphasising the importance of transparency in candidate selection processes.

“We gather not only to discuss the newly drafted INEC Regulation and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, but also to reaffirm our collective commitment to enhancing the democratic process in Nigeria.

“Credible elections begin long before polling day; they begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates,” he said.

Amupitan explained that the revised guidelines followed a comprehensive review of the 2022 regulations and were informed by empirical findings, including the Political Party Performance Index developed with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

He noted that the review exposed a “disturbing gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities.”

He added that the new framework introduced reforms across key areas such as party registration and mergers, internal operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, financial transparency, and conditions for deregistration.

According to him, the measures were aimed at curbing irregularities, particularly in party primaries.

“These guidelines aim to sanitise party primaries and end opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuelling voter apathy and avoidable litigation,” he said.

The INEC chairman also highlighted provisions on campaign finance, noting that the Electoral Act 2026 empowers the commission to determine election expenses in consultation with political parties.

He urged stakeholders to pay close attention to clauses relating to funding and expenditure.

With the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly poll scheduled for January 16 and governorship and state houses of assembly for February 6, Amupitan warned that the commission was operating within a compressed timeline.

“We are operating within a compressed timetable, which demands what I call surgical precision,” he noted.

He further disclosed that the draft regulations incorporate measurable benchmarks to boost the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Urging constructive engagement, he asked political parties to view the regulations as safeguards rather than restrictions.

“By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from nomination to the final declaration of results,” he said.

Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, he added, “INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we are no longer passive observers to the erosion of democratic values,” he added.

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The ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday screened the National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and other aspirants for positions in the party’s National Working Committee.

The chairman of the screening sub-committee and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, assured a transparent and credible convention during the exercise held at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, ahead of the APC’s national convention scheduled for March 27–28.

As outlined in Article 11, Section 12.4 of the APC Constitution (March 2022, as amended), the National Working Committee comprises the National Chairman, National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman (South), and Deputy National Chairman (North).

Additional members include the Deputy National Secretary, six National Vice Chairmen representing each geopolitical zone (Zonal Chairmen), the National Legal Adviser, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, National Organising Secretary, National Welfare Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor, National Woman Leader, Deputy National Woman Leader, National Youth Leader, and the National Leader for Persons Living with Disabilities.

Most members of the current APC National Working Committee were elected in August 2023, while the incumbent national chairman took office in July 2025.

Notably, Article 17, titled Tenure of Office of the APC Constitution (March 2022 as amended) states that: “Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all officers of the party elected or appointed into the party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four (4) years only, provided that an officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall, notwithstanding, be eligible for election to the same Office for two terms.”

The PUNCH on February 24 exclusively reported that Yilwatda and Basiru will be retained in their current positions, as many of the NWC members are reportedly interested in pursuing a second term, contingent on receiving approval from key party leaders, especially the governors.

Oyebanji, speaking before the screening exercise, stated that their responsibility was to vet aspirants by reviewing their credentials and posing key questions.

He stated, “Our duty is to screen all aspirants, even those we know well. We will carefully review their credentials and ask important questions.

“We are committed to ensuring a transparent and fair process, and with the work we and the other sub-committees are doing, this national convention will be credible.”

During his screening, Yilwatda emphasised that in the party, all members are accountable to the system and its processes.

He also highlighted that the party has a strong youth presence. Seeking re-election, Yilwatda stated that under his leadership, the party would prioritise the value of membership over personal friendships.

He stated, “And I must thank you for creating this belief and also ensuring that the system prevails over individuals. And I am so proud that we’re leading the party that is providing the best leadership for democracy in this country.

“Unlike other political parties, where every day you see the members of the convention committee making contrarian statements, arguing among themselves, and sometimes fighting over issues, I have not seen anything like that in the convention committee, in all the subcommittees.

“We’ve seen growth in the party, and it’s not a one-man job. Some of you here have been part of the people who reached out to leaders who were brought back into the APC.

“We’ve also seen the deepening of technology. The registration of the membership has given us more data-driven positioning of the party.

“It is now that we know that our party is more youth-driven than any other party. Before now, most people were telling us that they had the youth. We didn’t know that the youth were with the APC. Fifty per cent of the members of the APC are between the ages of 18 and 35.

“And it shows clearly that we have the youth on our side. We are the most youthful party in the country. People within the age of 50 and above make up just 18 per cent of the membership of the party.

“It clearly shows that the party is one of the most youthful parties in the country, which means the party has a future.”

The APC national chairman further noted that the party had demonstrated a more inclusive system than any other political party in Nigeria.

“APC is the only political party with a presence across all six geopolitical zones. Is it the governors? Is it the membership? Is it winning elections? If you look at all the by-elections conducted, we’ve won elections in all six zones. No political party has done this.

“Most political parties dominate only a zone, but APC has presence in all six geopolitical zones — we’ve won in Kano, Zaria, Adamawa, the Southwest, the South-South, and the Southeast. It shows the reach and strength of the party,” he added.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his screening, Basiru, who is also seeking re-election, stated that he and other members of the NWC would focus on strengthening the party and ensuring that its structures, from polling units to the national convention, are fully active.

He added that the screening committee commended their efforts since assuming leadership of the party in August 2023.

He stated, “And of course, we are charged to continue to work towards making the party cohesive and to ensure fairness and justice to all party members.

“So, by and large, when you are a member of the party, and you are contesting for the same position, it will be a double-edged sword.”

Basiru, who is the sole aspirant for the position of the national secretary, expressed optimism that the convention would be peaceful, vibrant, and one of the most memorable political gatherings in Nigeria.

The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Francis Duru, said contrary to perception, Friday’s convention is not a coronation but a consensus arrangement.

“I would like to say that it is majorly consensus. It also underpins the basic tenet for which APC is known.

“As much as possible, building a consensus, bringing people together behind the scenes, working harder to ensure that there is no rupture and there is no implosion, as people would like to have it.

“It does not mean that there are no contests. It doesn’t mean that there are no disagreements. But once the party has the internal mechanism, there can only be one person that occupies an office; it cannot be two, and if it is two, it makes it a lot easier,” he said.

Among the current NWC members screened to retain their positions are National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser, Prof Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa State), National Woman Leader, Mary Alile Idele (Edo State), and National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, among others.

Meanwhile, the Media and Publicity Committee of the convention has announced plans to hold a global press conference on Thursday to outline its preparations.

The announcement was made by the committee’s co-chairman and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting of the committee on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, the committee said, “As part of what we need to do, a major press conference will be held on Thursday to unveil the expectations of the party to Nigerians.”

He urged committee members to work collaboratively to ensure effective communication and the successful delivery of the convention, stressing the need for unity and commitment.

“It is important that members of the committee realise that a lot of sacrifice is expected from all, in line with the party’s vision for a united and disciplined approach to communicating to Nigerians,” he stated.

Idris also reminded members of the importance of maintaining internal democratic values within the party, noting its status as Africa’s largest political party.

“As party members, we must subject ourselves to a significant attribute of our President, who throughout his political career, and particularly in the last three years of his national leadership, has subjected himself to all internal democratic processes,” he added.

The APC national convention is scheduled to take place from March 27 to 28, 2026, in Abuja.

Among those in attendance at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare; Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu; House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Tunde Rahman; Vice Chairman of the Committee, Istifanus Gyang; Assistant Secretary, Mary Ikoku; Secretary 1, Abimbola Tooki; and others.

The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party worsened on Tuesday as governors in the party distanced themselves from the consensus selection of a national chairman and secretary by the Nyesom Wike-backed faction, insisting on legal redress and a review of the process.

This is as Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Credible senior PDP members aligned with the governors-backed National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to reveal the development, told The PUNCH that they would pursue all available legal avenues to ensure the crisis is resolved in their favour.

Meanwhile, very high-ranking members of the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee, who requested anonymity because they are not authorised to speak on the matter, revealed in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that all geopolitical zones had agreed on consensus candidates for NWC positions ahead of the March 29–30 National Convention.

The insiders revealed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed have emerged as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, of the PDP backed by Wike.

After nearly a year of internal crisis, the PDP became divided into two opposing factions.

To worsen the situation, the governors’ camp, backed by Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), proceeded with a convention on November 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and other officials were elected into the National Working Committee.

In response, the Wike-led faction established a 13-member National Caretaker Working Committee in December, appointing Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, alongside other members, to oversee the party for 60 days pending a substantive convention.

On February 12, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated suits arising from the leadership crisis and delivered judgment on March 9.

A panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that the processes leading to the Ibadan convention breached the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution.

Consequently, the court nullified the convention and declared the election of Turaki and other NWC members invalid.

In a related development, a separate Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill in Ibadan granted all parties the opportunity to pursue an amicable settlement.

Although both factions had recently shown signs of reconciliation, fresh positions by the governors and lingering disagreements over the convention indicate that the peace efforts may have stalled.

A source within the governors’ camp disclosed that the reconciliation efforts broke down because the Wike-aligned PDP faction was determined to hold the convention.

He stated, “You see, the reconciliation efforts have collapsed. From our side, we indicated readiness for dialogue, but when discussions were held with the other camp, the Wike group insisted that our members must participate in the convention by purchasing forms and contesting.

“As far as we are concerned, that convention process is fundamentally flawed and illegal. As a group, we are determined to examine all legal options and pursue an alternative legal means to resolve the issue.

“We will carefully review the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, along with all related matters, and take appropriate steps to protect the party and ensure our members have a viable platform to contest.

“You can see that the NWC met today (Tuesday) for about four hours, and it was a productive session. The meeting will continue tomorrow.”

The Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, declined to speak on the decision at the NWC meeting held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

He simply stated that the meeting would continue on Wednesday (today), after which the party would address the situation.

However, a source in Wike’s camp revealed that his faction zoned the position of National Chairman to the North- Central and National Secretary to the South, adding that zonal leaders were directed to meet and agree on consensus candidates for all NWC positions.

He also disclosed that he emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of National Organising Secretary from the North-West.

The source continued, “In the North-West, the zonal meeting held this afternoon confirmed that the status quo will be maintained. Sokoto retains the National Organising Secretary position, Katsina takes the National Youth Leader, while Kano takes over as Deputy Treasurer. Jigawa selected the Zonal Vice Chairman. All positions were agreed upon by consensus.

“So far, South-East also retains the National Secretary in Imo State for Senator Anyanwu. Okechukwu Osuoha, who was previously Deputy Legal Adviser, has become Auditor. Chidebere, the former South East National Vice Chairman, is now Deputy Public Secretary.

“In the Southwest, the positions have been allocated as follows: Woman Leader to Oyo, Treasurer to Osun, Deputy Secretary to Ekiti and Zonal Vice Chairman to Lagos. In the North-East, the Deputy-Chairman North goes to Taraba, Publicity Secretary to Bauchi, Deputy Woman Leader to Gombe, and Deputy Financial Secretary to Borno. The Zonal Vice-Chairman was assigned to Adamawa.

“For the South-South, the National Vice-Chairman South goes to Rivers,  Financial Secretary to Cross River, Deputy National Organising Secretary to Delta, and Deputy Youth Leader to Akwa Ibom. Then the National Vice Chairman, South-South to Edo.”

A reliable source, who attended the North-Central caucus meeting, disclosed that the zone agreed on the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, as their consensus candidate.

The source added that Wike reportedly urged former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Kogi State Deputy Governor Philip Salawu to step aside in favour of Mohammed.

“The meeting concluded tonight with the North-Central zone agreeing that it should produce the National Chairman. Religion was also a factor, given that the Secretary position was zoned to the South-East; they wanted the National Chairman to be a Muslim, anticipating that the person emerging would otherwise be a Christian.

“Additionally, the party’s National Leader, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appealed to former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Kogi State Deputy Governor to step aside and allow the incumbent Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, to emerge as the consensus candidate.

“As a result, Abdulrahman Mohammed was announced at the North-Central meeting tonight as the consensus candidate for National Chairman in the forthcoming PDP national convention. The decision also reflected the view that he had effectively performed in the acting role, earning the support of zonal leaders and stakeholders.”

When reached for comment, the Wike-backed PDP Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, neither confirmed nor denied the report.

He described consensus as the best option for the party, noting that the National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and other party leaders were justified in adopting that approach.

“As far as we are concerned, we believe consensus is the best way to go in an effort to bring out candidates, whether party or primary, whether it is an intraparty working committee, an election or a primary election for the purpose of leading candidates into elective positions.

“Once you have consensus, it means there’s consent of all stakeholders—the aspirants and the stakeholders—as opposed to imposition. And, you know, when you take away the election process, it saves a lot of time, resources, and animosity. So, it is the best way to go. And I think the party is not wrong.

“The leaders of the party are not wrong. And the NEC of the party was not wrong to have advised the various regions to adopt consensus as a means of electing party leaders.”

Relatedly, a former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned the PDP leadership backed by the FCT minister against conducting another factional convention.

He warned that such could further fracture the party.

Olawepo-Hashim described the plan as a serious threat to the unity and survival of the PDP, stressing that both camps had earlier agreed to pursue a unity convention before the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal.

According to him, the reconciliation process was derailed by what he termed the activities of a “fifth columnist,” who allegedly sabotaged efforts in pursuit of external interests.

“I urge the Wike faction not to renege on the gentleman’s agreement already made. This is about the survival and integrity of the PDP,” Olawepo-Hashim said.

The PDP chieftain also warned against alleged moves to tamper with the executive committees of state chapters, particularly in Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano States, noting that such an action would violate the party’s constitution.

He maintained that the tenures of state executives are fixed and cannot be arbitrarily altered, cautioning against exporting the national leadership crisis into otherwise stable state structures.

Olawepo-Hashim identified the authentic state chairmen in the affected states as Raymond Dabo (Plateau), Adamu Ninga (Nasarawa), Edward Masha (Kaduna), and Yusuf Kibiya (Kano), insisting that their mandates must be respected.

He warned that imposing parallel structures in states without internal disputes could deepen the crisis and weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.

The former presidential aspirant further cautioned that key actors in the ongoing dispute risk emerging as political losers if they fail to resolve their differences and adhere strictly to an agreed framework for power-sharing and the harmonisation of the National Working Committees of the rival factions.

Olawepo-Hashim called on all stakeholders to return to the negotiation table and conclude work on a unified leadership structure, stressing that any factional convention would ultimately produce ‘’a lose-lose outcome for the party.’’

He reiterated that unity remains the only viable path for the PDP to regain its strength, credibility and electoral competitiveness.

Reconciliation

A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chibudom Nwuche, has called for reconciliation and unity within the party.

He urged all aggrieved party leaders and members to set aside differences and embrace peace for the overall good of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former deputy speaker stated this after the 107th National Executive Committee meeting of the party, which was held on Monday in Abuja.

He urged stakeholders to return to the PDP and take advantage of the ongoing reconciliation and consolidation ahead of the national convention later this week.

“We held the 107th NEC meeting of our party yesterday (Monday) under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and in attendance were senators, members of the House of Representatives, former governors, ministers, legislators, key stakeholders, and party executives from the National and State levels,” he stated.

Nwuche specifically appealed to governors and other party stalwarts to “bury the hatchet and embrace sincere reconciliation,” emphasising that internal cohesion and unity remained the party’s greatest strengths as it prepares for future political contests.

Nwuche urged the executive committee that emerged from the Ibadan convention, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), not to further delay the reconciliation process by further litigating already  settled issues.

“Enough of division, enough of court cases. It is time to end further litigations and come together to forge a common front, especially as we look ahead to the 2027 general elections.

“The task before us now requires unity, trust, and a shared commitment to repositioning and strengthening our party. There is a time to fight and a time for peace,” he said.

He also extended his appeal to the BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, urging its leadership and members to prioritise peace and cohesion within the party.

According to him, the current polarisation among party members was counterproductive and is undermining the PDP’s stability and electoral prospects.

“We must embrace reconciliation as a collective responsibility in the best interests of the People’s Democratic Party and Nigeria as a whole.

“I am imploring all prominent leaders of the PDP to embrace reconciliation and move forward as one indivisible family for the sake of our party and the millions of Nigerians who look to us for leadership,” he said.

The former deputy speaker further noted that the PDP national convention, scheduled for March 29 in Abuja, provides a timely and strategic platform to advance these reconciliation efforts. He urged party leaders and delegates to approach the convention not merely as a routine gathering but as a defining moment to heal divisions, reaffirm unity, and set a collective direction for the future.

According to him, the convention must serve as a rallying point for consensus-building and renewed commitment to the party’s shared vision.

He emphasised that reconciliation within the party must be intentional, comprehensive, and guided by clearly defined areas of engagement.

The statement concluded with a renewed call for all party members to adopt dialogue, reconciliation, and a collective purpose in the interests of the PDP and Nigeria at large.

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