The Independent National Electoral Commission has refused to recognise the Kabiru Turaki led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, deepening the crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran Anthony, INEC said its decision was based on subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes surrounding the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
The commission disclosed that it had received multiple requests from legal representatives of the PDP asking it to recognise and upload on its website the list of national officers said to have emerged from the Ibadan convention. However, after reviewing the requests against existing laws and court rulings, INEC said it could not comply.
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According to the electoral body, two judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja expressly restrained it from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of the PDP convention. The cases, delivered on October 31 and November 14, 2025, were described as final and binding until set aside by a competent court.
INEC stressed that although appeals had been filed against the judgments, Nigerian law is clear that an appeal does not amount to a stay of execution. As a result, the commission said it remains bound by the court orders under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
The commission also dismissed references to interim orders issued by the Oyo State High Court, noting that it had already been struck out of that suit for lack of jurisdiction. INEC added that interim orders cannot override subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.
Further complicating matters, INEC revealed 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 NWC and National Executive Committee allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention.
“In light of the pending suits, your request is prejudicial and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the appeals,” the commission stated.
INEC said it had already communicated this position to PDP leaders during a meeting at its headquarters on December 19, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The refusal comes against the backdrop of deepening factional battles within the PDP, with rival blocs aligned to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde challenging each other’s legitimacy. The Ibadan convention itself was held amid conflicting court orders and has since triggered suspensions and counter suspensions of key party figures.
With INEC standing firmly on legal grounds, the PDP leadership crisis shows no sign of abating, raising fresh questions about the party’s cohesion and readiness as the 2027 elections draw closer.
