INEC Reaffirms Stance on PDP Leadership After Court Decisions

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its position that it does not recognise the leadership outcomes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention purportedly held on 15–16 November 2025, citing subsisting court judgments and pending legal processes.

In a letter dated 22 December 2025 and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC acknowledged receipt of multiple correspondences from legal representatives of the PDP demanding that the Commission recognise and update on its website the list of National Officers said to have emerged from the convention.

The Commission stated that it carefully examined the requests against the backdrop of relevant facts, extant laws, and binding judicial decisions directly related to the matter. In doing so, INEC drew attention to two final judgments of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 – Austine Nwachukwu & 2 Ors. v. INEC & 8 Ors., delivered on 31 October 2025, and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 – Alhaji Sule Lamido v. PDP & 4 Ors., delivered on 14 November 2025.

According to the Commission, both judgments expressly restrained INEC from supervising, monitoring, recognising, or in any manner accepting the outcome of the PDP National Convention held on 15–16 November 2025, or any other date, pending compliance with the orders of the court.

While noting that Notices of Appeal have been filed against the judgments, INEC emphasised that the filing of an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution. The Commission stressed that until the judgments are set aside or stayed by a competent court, it remains constitutionally 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).

INEC also addressed references to interim orders issued by the High Court of Oyo State in Suit No. I/1336/2025 – Folahan Malomo Adelabi v. PDP & Ors., clarifying that the Commission had since been struck out of the suit for want of jurisdiction. It further explained that, in any event, interim orders cannot override or nullify subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.

In addition, the Commission noted the existence of another pending suit filed by the PDP itself in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/121/2025 – PDP v. INEC, in which the party seeks an order compelling INEC to recognise the National Working Committee and members of the National Executive Committee allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention for all party-related and electoral matters.

Given the multiple pending suits and appeals, INEC stated that acceding to the request for recognition at this stage would be prejudicial and contrary to the rule of law. Consequently, the Commission reaffirmed that it is unable to recognise or update the list of National Officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention of 15–16 November 2025 until the determination of the pending appeals and full compliance with court orders.

The Commission added that these positions were clearly reiterated to the PDP leadership during a meeting held at INEC Headquarters on Friday, 19 December 2025, underscoring its commitment to due process and judicial authority.

INEC assured stakeholders of its highest regards and reaffirmed its resolve to continue acting strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.