According to Kurdpress, Shahwan Abdullah, the head of the faction of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Iraqi Parliament, announced the official position of the party regarding the meeting of the Kirkuk Provincial Council and the election of the governor and described this process as "illegal".

This statement states: "Today's meeting of the Kirkuk Provincial Council and the matter of appointing the governor is an illegal process and was done outside the will of the people of Kirkuk."

He emphasized that the Kurdistan Democratic Party will in no way be burdened by the "dubious transactions of Rashid Hotel" and agreements that are against the best interests of the people of Kirkuk.

Shahevan Abdullah also pointed out that this party rejects any agreement that is outside the legal framework and the will of Kirkuk voters.

Regarding the demographic composition of Kirkuk, he also said: "The Kurdistan Democratic Party is not only against the rights and demands of Turkmens, but also supports the rights of all ethnic groups and believes that the representatives of the city should serve everyone within a legal framework and without discrimination."

Yesterday (Wednesday, April 15, 2026) an urgent letter with number (M/232) was published about the meeting of the Council and this meeting is scheduled to be held today, Thursday, April 16 at 12:00.

According to the agenda of this meeting, Ribwar Taha Mustafa will resign from his position and Mohammad Samaan will start working as the new governor of Kirkuk.

According to Kurdistan 24, Bafel Talabani has reached an agreement with Mohammad Al-Halbousi and Rian Kaldani that the post of Kirkuk Governor will be taken from Ribwar Taha and handed over to Mohammad Samaan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, for a period of seven months. After that, this position was entrusted to a Sunni Arab and it will remain in the hands of Sunni Arabs until the next council elections.

Bafel Talabani has demanded the post of deputy governor, Kirkuk police command and Debs and Daqoq governorates in return for this position.

This agreement was made in order to support the candidate of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for the post of the president of Iraq, and Bafel Talabani finalized it with Mohammad Al-Halboosi, Qais Khazali and Rayan Khaldani.

In the meeting of the Iraqi Parliament to elect a new president, this agreement was implemented, so that even two Turkmen representatives voted for Nizar Amidi. Now the implementation of the Kirkuk governorate department is under the responsibility of the Patriotic Union.