The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dealt a significant blow to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by formally refusing to recognise the national working committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki. The electoral body cited existing court judgements that legally prevent it from taking such an action.
Legal Hurdles and Court Orders
In a decisive letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC informed the party's legal representatives, Akintayo Balogun and Co., of its position. The commission stated it is bound by final judgements from courts of competent jurisdiction which explicitly bar it from recognising or giving any effect to the outcome of the PDP's National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The request for recognition followed a series of letters from different PDP legal teams in November 2025, all demanding that INEC update its website with the list of national officers purportedly elected at the Ibadan convention. This convention, backed by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, produced the Turaki-led leadership.
The Core of INEC's Decision
INEC clarified that its refusal is anchored on two specific final judgements from the Federal High Court in Abuja:
- Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 – Austine Nwachukwu & two others v. INEC & eight others, delivered on October 31, 2025.
- Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 – Alhaji Sule Lamido v. PDP & four others, delivered on November 14, 2025.
The commission emphasized that these judgements restrain it from "supervising, monitoring, recognising or giving effect in any manner whatsoever" to the convention's results. INEC further noted that while appeals have been filed, the law is clear that an appeal does not automatically stay the execution of a judgement.
"Until the said judgments are set aside or stayed by a competent court, the commission remains bound to obey and give full effect to them," INEC's letter stated, referencing Section 287(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Deepening PDP Crisis and Conflicting Court Rulings
The party's internal crisis has been marked by a web of conflicting court orders. While courts in Abuja halted the convention, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan gave it a green light and directed INEC to monitor it. This legal confusion led to the emergence of a parallel party structure formed by members loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who opposed the convention.
INEC also addressed an interim order from the Oyo State High Court, noting it had been struck out of that suit for lack of jurisdiction. It added that an interim order cannot override final judgements from a court of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.
Complicating matters further, the PDP itself has a pending suit (FHC/IB/CS/121/2025) seeking to compel INEC to recognise the Ibadan convention leadership. INEC stated that this pending litigation makes the request for premature recognition "prejudicial."
The commission concluded that, in strict obedience to the rule of law, it cannot recognise or publish the list of officers from the November convention. This stance was reportedly communicated directly to PDP representatives during a meeting on Friday, December 19, 2025.
