November 11, 2026
The Commonwealth Pre-Election Assessment Team today held an assessment and engagement meeting with the National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Party’s National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The Commonwealth delegation was led by Mr. Linford Andrews, Head of Electoral Support. Other members of the delegation included Musa Kaikai, Hawah Koroma, Madenna Lynch (Executive Officer), and Temi Kaleijaiye (Public Relations and Engagement Officer).
The delegation was received by the PDP Director of Administration, Dr. Bruno Ekwelem, on behalf of the Party’s National Leadership. The engagement focused on the Party’s electoral preparedness, voter and party-member sensitisation, grassroots mobilisation, media engagement, and public enlightenment ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Also in attendance were the Director of Organisation and Mobilisation, Mr. Oge Odili; Director of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Naseer; Director of ICT, Engr. Adeola Adisa; and Assistant Director of Legal Services, Barr. Folorunsho Faisal.
The PDP Director of Administration, Dr. Bruno Ekwelem, who received the Commonwealth delegation on behalf of the Party’s National Leadership, welcomed the team and highlighted the Party’s strategies for voter engagement and sensitisation at both the grassroots and media levels. He noted that the engagement was being streamed live across the Party’s various media platforms, demonstrating the PDP’s commitment to effective information dissemination, public enlightenment and voter education. He further emphasised that the Party’s media team remains actively engaged in communicating its activities, policies and programmes to Nigerians.
The meeting featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the Commonwealth delegation sought clarification on key issues, including the PDP’s media engagement strategies, legal challenges confronting the Party, and the judiciary’s handling of political matters brought before the courts.
Responding to questions on legal matters, Barr. Folorunsho Faisal explained that the Party places considerable emphasis on electoral sensitisation and compliance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while maintaining that the PDP remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
On party organisation, electoral mobilisation and sensitisation, Mr. Oge Odili explained that grassroots enlightenment and continuous capacity-building programmes for State Electoral Officers remain integral to the Party’s activities. He noted that these initiatives are designed to equip party officials with the necessary knowledge and understanding of electoral reforms and election-related processes.
Addressing gender inclusion and the PDP’s commitment to equity, the Director of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Naseer, highlighted the Party’s sustained engagement with women at the grassroots level. She also emphasised the Party’s commitment to gender inclusion, noting that a significant number of women are contesting elective positions on the PDP platform.
Expressing satisfaction with the engagement, the Head of the Commonwealth delegation, Mr. Linford Andrews, commended the quality of leadership, expertise and level of preparedness demonstrated by the PDP National Leadership. He stated that the delegation was impressed by the information and insights gathered during the meeting.
Mr. Andrews further disclosed that the team would submit its findings and observations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who would consider the report in determining the possible deployment of an election observer mission to Nigeria. He assured the PDP that the Party would be duly informed of subsequent developments.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Bruno Ekwelem, speaking on behalf of the PDP National Leadership, expressed appreciation to the Commonwealth delegation for the constructive and enlightening engagement. He reaffirmed the Party’s commitment to democratic principles, credible elections and the sustenance of democratic governance in Nigeria.
He, however, drew the delegation’s attention to concerns over the alleged intimidation of PDP members and candidates at the grassroots in some states, including Ebonyi, Kwara, Enugu and Cross River, describing the situation as a major challenge confronting the Party.
The importance of these continuous dialogue with political parties and international democratic institutions in promoting electoral transparency, inclusiveness, accountability and credible democratic processes in the country cannot be overemphasized even as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.
PDP NATIONAL MEDIA