The leadership conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki.
The decision was based on ongoing court rulings and unresolved legal issues related to the party’s national convention.
INEC communicated its stance in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by its Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony. The letter was shared with the media and addressed the increasing concerns surrounding the PDP leadership dispute.
The commission’s decision followed a review of requests from the party’s legal representatives for official recognition of the officials elected at the Ibadan convention. INEC stated that these requests were evaluated “considering all relevant facts, applicable laws, and existing court rulings directly related to the matter.”
INEC pointed to two Federal High Court rulings in Abuja, issued on October 31 and November 14, 2025, which explicitly prohibited INEC from acknowledging the results of the PDP convention.
“Both judgments are final and binding on all parties, clearly preventing the Commission from supervising, monitoring, recognizing, or in any way implementing the outcomes of the PDP National Convention,” INEC noted.
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Despite the PDP filing notices of appeal, the leadership crisis remains unresolved. INEC emphasized that an appeal does not automatically suspend the execution of the judgments. “Until these judgments are overturned or stayed by a competent court, the Commission is obligated to comply with them as per Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the letter stated.
INEC also mentioned that the PDP leadership crisis is related to interim orders from the Oyo State High Court, from which INEC had been removed due to lack of jurisdiction. The commission clarified that interim orders cannot supersede existing final judgments from courts of equal or higher authority, further solidifying its position in the PDP leadership dispute.
The leadership crisis of the main opposition party may continue, as another lawsuit filed by the PDP is still pending in the Federal High Court in Ibadan, where the party seeks an order to compel INEC to recognize the contested leadership. “Given the pending lawsuits, your request is prejudicial and cannot be granted until the appeals are resolved,” INEC stated. “Therefore, in adherence to the rule of law and existing court orders, the Commission is unable to fulfill the demand,” the letter concluded.
The PDP leadership crisis was discussed with party leaders during a meeting on December 19, 2025.
