The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reportedly led by Kabiru Turaki, dealing a fresh blow to the faction backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed.
INEC hinged its decision on the existence of multiple court judgements and ongoing legal processes surrounding the leadership crisis within the opposition party.
Recall that in November, the PDP faction supported by Governors Makinde and Mohammed convened a national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced a new set of national officers. The convention, however, was preceded by conflicting court rulings, with some Federal High Court decisions in Abuja restraining the exercise over alleged violations of the party’s constitution and electoral laws, while an Oyo State High Court cleared the PDP to proceed and directed INEC to monitor the convention.
Following the convention, a rival faction of the party led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced a parallel National Working Committee, Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC).
Subsequently, the Makinde-backed PDP, through its legal representatives, formally requested INEC to recognise Kabiru Turaki as the party’s authentic National Chairman.
However, in a letter dated December 22 and addressed to Akintayo Balogun & Co, the PDP’s counsel, INEC said the matter remains sub judice, stressing that it cannot take any administrative action that could pre-empt the outcome of cases currently before the courts.
The electoral umpire further stated that it would not update its records to reflect any changes in the PDP’s national leadership until all pending suits challenging the convention are fully resolved.
“In the light of the above pending suits, your request is prejudiced and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the pending appeals,” INEC said.
The commission added that, in obedience to the rule of law and subsisting court orders, it is unable to recognise or update the list of national officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention held between November 15 and 16, 2025.
