The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes.
INEC stated this in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, which was made available to our correspondent.
The commission said it had received several requests from legal representatives of the PDP asking it to recognise and update on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the commission, the requests were reviewed “in the light of all material facts, extant laws, and subsisting court judgments touching directly on the subject matter.”
INEC 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.
The commission said both judgments “expressly restrained” it from supervising, monitoring, recognising or giving effect to the outcome of the PDP National Convention held on November 15–16, 2025, or any similar exercise, pending full compliance with court orders.
“Both judgments, which are final in nature and binding on all parties, expressly restrained the Commission from supervising, monitoring, recognising, or in any manner whatsoever giving effect to the outcome of the PDP National Convention,” INEC said.
INEC noted that although notices of appeal had been filed against the judgments, the law is settled that an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution.
“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 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the letter read.
The commission also addressed references to interim orders issued by the Oyo State High Court, clarifying that INEC had since been struck out of the suit for lack of jurisdiction. It added that interim orders cannot override or nullify subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.
INEC further disclosed that another suit filed by the PDP is pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, in which 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 light of the above pending suits, your request is prejudicial and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the pending appeals.
“In the circumstances, and in obedience to the rule of law and subsisting court orders, the Commission is unable to accede to the demand to recognise or update the list of the National Officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention of 15th–16th November, 2025,” the commission stated.
The commission added that its position was clearly reiterated to the PDP leadership during a meeting held at INEC headquarters on Friday, December 19, 2025, underscoring its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.
INEC, therefore, assured stakeholders of its continued resolve to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with factions loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde holding rival meetings and challenging the legitimacy of party structures.
The Ibadan convention itself took place amid conflicting court orders and was followed by moves within some party quarters to suspend or expel key leaders, reflecting deep divisions within the main opposition party.
The dispute within the PDP has resulted in disciplinary actions against several top leaders. The Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee suspended Nyesom Wike and a number of his allies, while the Wike-backed PDP NWC suspended Makinde and some of the party members.