The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, citing existing court rulings and unresolved legal disputes.
In a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission explained that it received multiple requests from lawyers representing the PDP, urging it to recognise and upload on its website the list of national officers purportedly elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
INEC said it carefully examined the requests “in the light of all material facts, extant laws, and subsisting court judgments touching directly on the subject 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.
According to INEC, the judgments “expressly restrained” the commission 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 directives.
“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 stated.
While acknowledging that notices of appeal have been filed against the rulings, the commission stressed that the filing of an appeal does not automatically suspend the enforcement of a judgment.
“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 said.
INEC also responded to claims relating to interim orders from the Oyo State High Court, noting that it had been struck out of that case due to lack of jurisdiction. It added that interim orders cannot supersede or invalidate subsisting final judgments of courts of equal or superior jurisdiction.
The commission further revealed that another suit instituted by the PDP is currently pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, where the party is seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the NWC 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,” the commission said.
“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.”
INEC added that this position had already been communicated to the PDP leadership during a meeting at its headquarters on Friday, December 19, 2025, reiterating its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.
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