The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a request from the Samuel Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the postponement of the Ekiti governorship primary, declaring the correspondence invalid and non-compliant with the law.
The disputed letter, dated November 6, 2025 and signed by Abdulrahaman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, asked INEC to shift the November 8 primary over what it described as “logistical reasons.”
The faction promised to communicate a new date.
But INEC has now formally rejected the request, insisting the letter did not meet the mandatory requirements for altering party primaries.
Despite the attempted postponement, the PDP conducted the Ekiti governorship primary on November 8, 2025, where Dr. Wole Oluyede emerged winner with 279 votes, defeating Funso Agent (239 votes) and Funmilayo Ogun (17 votes).
In a letter to the PDP National Secretary dated November 10, 2025 (Ref: INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94), the commission declared the correspondence from the Anyanwu faction null and void.
INEC letter signed by its Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, it cited the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.
It reads, “The above subject matter refers. We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship primary scheduled for November 8, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical reasons constraining this exercise.
“Kindly refer to our earlier letter to the commission on this subject matter. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
The Ekiti Governorship Primary was conducted by the party on the 8th of November, 2025, with Dr. Wole Oluyede emerging winner, having polled 279 votes to defeat Funso Agent, who scored 239 votes, and Funmilayo Ogun, who scored 17 votes.
In a letter addressed to the National Secretary of the party with reference number INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94 and dated November 10, 2025, the said emphatically that the request was rejected.
The letter from INEC was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, titled “re-resolution of the PDP NWC meeting and postponement of Ekiti state Congress abs governorship primary”.
It reads, “Your Letter on the above subject refers. The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides “the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.” Be guided.
“The commission hereby informs you that it has rejected your submission for non-compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act. Thank you”.
The INEC letter invalidates the position of Abdulrahaman Mohammed as acting national chairman of the party
