Just as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC fixed the elections into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils for February 21, 2026, the National Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, accused the nation’s judiciary of interfering in the internal affairs of political parties
This was revealed today at the first regular consultative meeting with political parties at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu at the meeting said voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors in the FCT.
“The last Area Council election in the FCT was held on 12 February 2022. By the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends next year.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday 21st February 2026. Voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.
“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. 26th February 2025. Party primaries will be held from 9th – 30th June 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open from 9.00am on 21st July 2025 to 6.00pm on 11th August 2025.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September 2025. Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 19th February 2026.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT will be uploaded to our website before the end of this meeting. Hardcopies of the two documents have been included in your folders for this meeting,” Yakubu said.
He added, “For your guidance, we are also including the hardcopies of the Regulation and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 in your folders while the softcopy is already available from our website www.inecnigeria.org.”
The National Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle in his remarks urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take decisive action against corrupt judges to restore public confidence in the judicial system.
Dantalle also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence preparations for the 2027 general elections without delay. He emphasised the need for early planning to ensure the Commission meets all necessary requirements and fulfills the expectations of Nigerians.
He highlighted the importance of upholding justice impartially, maintaining that the judiciary, as the temple of justice, must operate without fear or favor.
He said: “Sadly, some judicial officers have turned the court to a bazaar. We call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to wield the big stick on corrupt Justices especially the ones that meddle in the internal affairs of political parties to serve as a deterrent to others”.
He said IPAC is aware of the leadership disputes in some political parties that tend to overheat the polity and appealed to the affected parties to avail themselves of the IPAC Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to address them instead of dissipating energy in elongated litigations in court.
He said: “IPAC urges members to adhere strictly to their respective constitution in nomination of candidates for elections, discipline of members and leadership change. Compliance to party constitution, and the rule of law will curb crises that impede the development of our emerging democracy.
“The most outrageous of this is the recent attempt by undemocratic forces to hijack the leadership of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) on 17th January 2025, in Abuja, led by Chief Edozie Njoku, the former factional APGA National Chairman who was recently removed from Office on 27th November 2024, by the Supreme Court which restated Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
“In the worst political gymnastics if not mockery, the embattled National Chairman of NRM, Mr. Isaac Udeh who was having a leadership disagreement with his party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resigned as Chairman and arrogating to himself the position of National Organizing Secretary of the party.
“IPAC strongly condemns this political absurdity that has further dented the nation’s democracy. It is preposterous and uncalled for; a deliberate attempt to bring NRM to ridicule and disrepute.
“Nigerians watched the news of the purported convention on television, except the embattled Mr. Isaac Udeh no member of the party’s National Management Committee or National Executive Committee was in that jamboree called emergency convention conducted to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public.
“Council urges INEC not to recognise the outcome of the so-called convention staged in flagrant violation of the NRM constitution or any other party in which such a clear violation exists.
“Political parties belong to all Nigerians and every Nigerian is at liberty to join any political party of his choice. However, it has to be in line with the party’s constitution. But to join a party with the sole aim of becoming its national chairman contrary to its constitution is unjust and repugnant to good conscience, and should be condemned by all lovers of democratic governance.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will always intervene in national issues in the quest for a strong, united, stable, progressive, equitable and just democratic nation”.
He said INEC, as the regulatory body of political parties in the country has conducted seven general elections from 1999 to 2023, aside numerous off-season elections, by-elections, re-run elections and supplementary elections.
He said: “With remarkable reforms and steady development in the electoral process, so much is expected from the Commission in conducting free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that meet international standards.
“While preparations for the Anambra State gubernatorial election are on, the Commission should also activate its Election Project Plan (EPP), Strategic Programme of Action (SPA), the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP) for the 2027 general election.
“To whom much is given much is expected, INEC should know that fellow compatriots count on it for transparent elections that will usher in visionary leaders who will transform the nation. The Commission should justify the confidence reposed in it, put its act together and improve on previous performance.
“There is no doubt that the conduct of successful election is a collective responsibility of stakeholders. It is the reason we must rebuild trust in the electoral process. Low voter turnout in previous elections is worrisome and a sad commentary in our democratic process. This narrative must change!
“We must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people.
“Therefore, IPAC urges stakeholders to support the Commission in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening our constitutional governance.
“Similarly, Council urges the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.
“We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship. Their performance will determine their fate in future elections.
“Expectations of Nigerians are becoming higher. Governments at all levels should articulate and implement people-focused programmes and projects that will assuage their sufferings and foster economic growth, political stability, social justice, religious harmony, and national security and unity.
“As leaders of political parties, we are committed to making our democracy work for the benefit of the people on whom sovereignty resides. Nation building is a collective responsibility, we should therefore set aside partisan politics, victimization of political opponents and marginalization of fellow citizens.
“Though our democracy is not where it should be, 26 years of uninterrupted representative governance in May 2025; 65 years of Independence in October; and 102 years of the evolution of political parties in Nigeria are testaments of our resilience, patriotism and democratic zeal”.