The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hosted a consultative meeting with political parties at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu leading the delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Anyanwu, who serves as the National Secretary of the PDP faction backed by Minister Nyesom Wike, attended the meeting in person, marking a significant development amid the party's lingering leadership crisis.
Meeting Details
The meeting, which was ongoing as of press time, came just one week after political parties conducted primaries to nominate candidates for upcoming elections. The consultative session brought together leaders and representatives of registered political parties to engage with the electoral commission on issues related to the electoral process and preparations for forthcoming elections.
Former Senate President David Mark, leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was represented by the party's National Legal Adviser, Oserheimen Osunbor.
Supreme Court Rulings Impact
The meeting follows recent Supreme Court rulings that have affected the leadership structures of both the PDP and ADC. The factional Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, who aligns with the Wike faction, stated that a Supreme Court judgment affirmed the leadership structure headed by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu. Ohuabunwa argued that the judgment reaffirmed the authority of Mohammed and Anyanwu to steer the party's affairs at the national level.
In a split 3-2 decision, the apex court nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, which produced a leadership backed by Governor Seyi Makinde. The majority judgment held that the convention was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders requiring the party to fulfill certain conditions before proceeding.
Similarly, the Supreme Court recently restored the leadership of the ADC led by David Mark. The court set aside an earlier 'status quo ante bellum' order and directed INEC to recognize Mark and members of his executive committee pending the determination of substantive suits before the Federal High Court.
Significance
Tuesday's meeting marked the first major engagement between INEC and political parties since the conclusion of the latest round of party primaries. Attention was focused on the participation of key party officials amid ongoing leadership contests in some of the country's major political parties.
