The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.
This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.
The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.
The INEC referred 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.
“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.
The commission noted that while notices of appeal had been filed against the judgments, it was settled in law that the filing of an appeal did not amount to 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.