The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognize the new national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Tanimu Kabiru Turaki, which was elected at the party’s National Convention held last month. In an official letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, secretary to the Commission, INEC cited subsisting court judgments and ongoing legal processes as the basis for its decision.

Specifically, INEC drew attention to two final judgments from the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which it stated remain valid and enforceable. These judgments are Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 (Austine Nwachukwu & 2 Ors. v. INEC & 8 Ors., delivered October 31, 2025) and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 (Sule Lamido v. PDP & 4 Ors., delivered November 14, 2025). Both judgments explicitly restrained INEC from supervising, monitoring, recognizing, or accepting the outcome of the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, or any other date, without strict compliance with court orders.

While acknowledging that Notices of Appeal had been filed against these judgments, INEC emphasized that the mere filing of an appeal does not constitute a stay of execution. The commission stressed its constitutional obligation to comply with court decisions, citing Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates all authorities and persons to enforce and give effect to judgments of competent courts until they are set aside or formally stayed. Furthermore, INEC addressed references to interim orders from the High Court of Oyo State (Suit No. I/1336/2025), explaining that it had been struck out of that suit due to lack of jurisdiction and that interim orders cannot override final judgments from courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.

INEC also highlighted another pending suit initiated by the PDP itself at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division (Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/121/2025), where the party seeks an order compelling INEC to recognize the newly elected National Working Committee and National Executive Committee members. The electoral body maintained that granting PDP’s request for recognition at this juncture would be prejudicial, legally improper, and contrary to the rule of law, given the multitude of pending suits and unresolved appeals. Consequently, INEC reaffirmed its inability to recognize or upload the list of National Officers from the November 15-16, 2025 PDP national convention until all pending appeals are determined and full compliance with court orders is achieved. These positions were explicitly communicated to the PDP leadership during a meeting on December 19, 2025.

Reacting to INEC's stance, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, asserted that the judgments have been appealed, and applications for a stay of execution have been filed, anticipating a swift judgment from the Court of Appeal. The Turaki-led committee vehemently denied any faction within the party, accusing INEC of bias in its handling of the party's affairs.

Ememobong recalled that INEC had monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed upon, and was also in receipt of the convention notice – facts he claimed the Commission had “unconscionably suppressed in court in several cases.” He further noted that primaries in Ekiti and Osun states were duly monitored by INEC, with communication emanating from the Turaki-led NWC. The PDP spokesman reminded INEC that its constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and to the defense and protection of democracy, suggesting the Commission was operating under “monumental pressure.”

While INEC claims neutrality and awaits court judgments, Ememobong urged them to consider recent Supreme Court judgments, particularly the SDP case, which he stated bars INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties. He stressed that there is no true faction in the PDP, as all legitimate organs and administrative structures of the party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN. He cited numerous stakeholder groups, including the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, and legislative caucuses, who have met with and acknowledged the current National Working Committee's leadership.

The party spokesman concluded by stating that democracy is based on majority rule, implying that a “committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu” cannot be considered a valid PDP faction. He expressed that while they shouldn't ordinarily respond to INEC's letter after previous meetings and correspondence, the Commission's actions necessitated a response to highlight its “hypocrisy and consistent bias.” Ememobong accused INEC of actively showing bias, even in court, by failing to file relevant documents in its possession, ostensibly to aid those attempting to “kill the PDP and truncating democracy.” He questioned the rationale behind INEC's “contrived meeting” on December 19, 2025, if the matter was truly in court, suggesting it was designed to create a false perception of faction to justify its actions and inactions.