The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address allegations that some of its senior officials received land and cash gifts from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition party described the claims as “deeply troubling” and warned that such developments risk undermining public confidence in the electoral body.
The issue gained momentum after media reports suggested that top INEC officials were among the beneficiaries of land allocations linked to the minister.
The PDP said its concerns intensified following reports that the Supervising National Commissioner for the FCT, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, acknowledged receiving a land allocation.
According to the party, the development raises serious questions about the neutrality of the Commission.
It warned that the situation could be perceived as an attempt to curry favour or exert influence over an institution central to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“It is difficult to ignore the pattern,” the statement noted, pointing out that such gestures appear directed at agencies that play critical roles during elections, rather than other essential sectors such as healthcare, education, or security.
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The PDP called on INEC’s leadership to provide a clear and comprehensive account of the situation, including whether its chairman or other senior officials benefited from similar allocations.
The party stressed that transparency is not optional for an electoral umpire, particularly at a time when public trust in democratic institutions remains fragile.
Among its key demands, the PDP called for a full disclosure of any land or financial benefits received by INEC officials.
It also sought clarity on the relationships between the Commission and the FCT administration.
Additionally, the party insisted on reassurance of INEC’s independence, emphasising that the Commission must be seen to operate without any external influence.
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It added that the Commission’s conduct should meet the highest ethical standards, noting that impartiality must not only exist but must also be clearly visible.
The PDP maintained that the integrity of the electoral system depends heavily on the perceived independence of INEC.
It warned that any suggestion of preferential treatment or undisclosed benefits could damage the Commission’s credibility and, by extension, public trust in future elections.
As of Tuesday, INEC had yet to respond directly to the allegations or the PDP’s call for clarification.
