December 23, (THEWILL) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that it will only act in line with subsisting court judgements and final judicial pronouncements on the party’s leadership crisis.
INEC’s position was conveyed in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The commission was responding to requests that it acknowledge and upload on its 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.
According to the electoral umpire, existing court decisions and pending litigation arising from the leadership dispute within the opposition party make it improper for INEC to recognise or give effect to any factional list of officers at this time.
INEC noted that taking such a step while the matter remains before the courts would amount to prejudicing ongoing judicial proceedings and could undermine the rule of law.
The commission stressed that it would only recognise the authentic leadership of the PDP upon receipt of a clear and final court order resolving the dispute.
The development further deepens the crisis within the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and legal battles over its national leadership, raising fresh concerns over the party’s cohesion and preparedness ahead of future electoral contests.
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