The Independent National Electoral Commission has formally declined to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal disputes.
INEC made its position known in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony. The letter followed several requests from lawyers representing the PDP, urging the commission to recognise and publish on its website the list of national officers said to have emerged from the party’s National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
According to INEC, the requests were carefully reviewed in line with relevant laws, available facts, and subsisting court judgments directly related to the matter.
The commission drew attention to two judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja — Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 delivered on October 31, 2025, and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 delivered on November 14, 2025. INEC said both rulings expressly barred it from supervising, monitoring, recognising, or giving effect to the outcome of the PDP convention or any similar exercise.
INEC stressed that the judgments are final and binding, adding that although appeals have been filed, the law is clear that an appeal does not automatically suspend the enforcement of a court ruling.
“Until the judgments are set aside or stayed by a competent court, the Commission remains bound to obey and give full effect to them, in line with Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” the commission stated.
The electoral body also addressed claims based on interim orders from the Oyo State High Court, clarifying that it had already been struck out of that suit for lack of jurisdiction. It added that interim orders cannot override or invalidate subsisting final judgments issued by courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.
INEC further disclosed that another suit filed by the PDP is currently pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, where the party is seeking an order compelling the commission to recognise the National Working Committee and members of the National Executive Committee allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention.
“In view of the pending suits, the request to recognise the said officers is prejudicial and cannot be granted until the appeals are fully determined,” INEC said.
The commission added that its stance had earlier been clearly communicated to the PDP leadership during a meeting at INEC headquarters on December 19, 2025, reaffirming its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.
INEC assured all stakeholders that it would continue to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
The PDP has been grappling with deep internal divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with rival factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, holding parallel meetings and disputing the legitimacy of party structures.
The Ibadan convention was held amid conflicting court orders and was followed by a wave of suspensions and counter-suspensions. The Turaki-led NWC suspended Wike and some of his allies, while the Wike-backed faction retaliated by suspending Makinde and other party members, further highlighting the deepening crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
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