The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

INEC made its position known in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

According to the commission, it received multiple requests from legal representatives of the PDP seeking recognition and publication on its website of the list of national officers purportedly elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

INEC said the requests were reviewed “in the light of all material facts, extant laws, and subsisting court judgments directly touching on the subject matter.”

The commission drew attention to two judgments of the Federal High Court sitting 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.

INEC explained that both judgments expressly restrained it from supervising, monitoring, recognising, or giving effect to the outcome of the PDP National Convention held on November 15–16, 2025, or any similar exercise, pending full compliance with court orders.

“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,” the letter stated.

While acknowledging that notices of appeal had been filed against the judgments, INEC stressed that an appeal does not operate as 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),” it added.

The commission also addressed references to interim orders issued by the Oyo State High Court, clarifying that INEC had since been struck out of the suit for lack of jurisdiction. It noted that interim orders cannot override subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.

INEC further disclosed that another suit filed by the PDP is currently pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, where the party is seeking an order compelling the commission to recognise the NWC and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention.

“In light of the pending suits, the request is prejudicial and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the appeals,” the commission said.

“In the circumstances, and in obedience to the rule of law and subsisting court orders, the Commission is unable to recognise or update the list of national officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention of November 15–16, 2025.”

INEC added that its position was reiterated to the PDP leadership during a meeting at its headquarters on Friday, December 19, 2025, underscoring its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.

The commission assured stakeholders of its resolve to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.

The PDP has been embroiled in internal crises ahead of the 2027 general elections, with factions aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, holding rival meetings and contesting the legitimacy of party structures.

The Ibadan convention was held amid conflicting court orders and was followed by reciprocal suspensions and disciplinary actions. While the Turaki-led NWC suspended Wike and some of his allies, the Wike-backed faction of the party also suspended Makinde and other party leaders, deepening divisions within the main opposition party.