The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership crisis.
In a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by the commission’s Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC stated that it could not grant requests to recognise or upload on its official website the list of national officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The commission explained that its position was informed by subsisting court rulings and pending litigation linked to the prolonged internal leadership tussle within the opposition party.
INEC stressed that acknowledging any factional national officers while the matter remains before the courts would be inappropriate, noting that due process must be allowed to take its full course before any recognition could be considered.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, maintaining that it would only act in line with clear judicial pronouncements once all legal proceedings relating to the PDP leadership dispute are conclusively resolved.
