INEC Raises Alarm Over Forged PDP Documents
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sounded an alarm concerning allegedly forged correspondence circulating on social media platforms regarding the postponement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress and governorship primary in Ekiti State.
In an official statement released on Friday, the Commission, through its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, declared that a purported letter dated November 10, 2025, did not originate from the office of the Secretary to the Commission or any legitimate INEC channel.
Deepening PDP Leadership Crisis
This controversy emerges against the backdrop of an intensifying leadership crisis within the PDP, particularly involving the faction led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and its acting chairman, Abdulrahaman Mohammed.
According to the fraudulent document in circulation, which INEC has now officially denounced, the faction had allegedly written to the electoral body seeking the postponement of the Ekiti governorship primary, citing logistical challenges.
Another fabricated document claimed that INEC, in a separate communication also dated November 10, 2025, had rejected the faction's request. This fake rejection letter insisted that the notice contravened INEC's Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which mandate joint signatures of the party's national chairman and national secretary before any congress or primary can be rescheduled.
INEC's Official Response and Investigation
Victoria Eta-Messi revealed that preliminary findings indicate that the signature of the Secretary to the Commission was forged by what she described as "unscrupulous elements" seeking to mislead the public.
The Commission's statement read in part: "The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a correspondence currently in circulation on various platforms, dated November 10, 2025, concerning the Resolution of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) Meeting and postponement of the Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary, purported to have been issued and signed by the Secretary to the Commission."
INEC stated unequivocally that the said correspondence did not emanate from the office of the Secretary to the Commission, nor any official channel of INEC.
The Commission views this act of forgery and the circulation of false documents as a serious electoral offence and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
INEC has strongly advised the general public, political parties, and the media to completely disregard the contents of the said correspondence, confirming it as entirely fake.
Security Collaboration and Legal Consequences
The electoral body has announced that it is currently collaborating with security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted according to the law.
INEC made a direct appeal to persons engaging in such criminal and disruptive activities to desist immediately in the interest of electoral integrity and peace.
This incident highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP and raises concerns about attempts to manipulate electoral processes through fraudulent means.
