The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing existing court judgements and unresolved legal processes.
In a letter dated 22 December 2025, and 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 15 and 16 November 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
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.
Last Friday, INEC had a meeting with the party’s rival factions at its commission’s headquarters in Abuja. In attendance were its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan; National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu and Mr. Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun, and some other officials.
On the side of the PDP were the faction led by Turaki, and the group headed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, which is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Turaki attended the meeting alongside members of his NWC, secretariat staff and a former Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, while Mohammed was accompanied by members of his National Caretaker Committee, including its Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
