📰 What Happened
- Convention in Ibadan (Nov 15–16, 2025): A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, organized a national convention in Ibadan.
- Outcome: The convention produced a new set of national officers led by Kabiru Turaki.
- Court Conflicts:
- Some Federal High Courts in Abuja issued rulings halting the convention, citing breaches of the party’s constitution and electoral laws.
- An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan cleared the PDP to proceed and directed INEC to monitor the exercise.
- INEC’s Position: In a letter dated December 22, 2025, INEC stated it is legally bound to obey final judgments of competent courts, which expressly barred it from recognizing or publishing the officers elected at the Ibadan convention.
⚖️ Why INEC Rejected It
- Legal Obligation: INEC emphasized that it cannot act contrary to subsisting court orders.
- Multiple Judgments: The conflicting rulings created legal uncertainty, but INEC chose to respect the Abuja court decisions that restrained recognition.
- Factional Dispute: The rejection deepens the PDP’s internal crisis, as another faction led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike opposes the Ibadan convention.
📊 Key Details in Context
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | PDP National Convention, Ibadan (Nov 15–16, 2025) |
| Faction Leaders | Kabiru Turaki (SAN), backed by Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal |
| Opposing Faction | Led by Nyesom Wike (FCT Minister) |
| INEC Decision Date | December 22, 2025 |
| Reason for Rejection | Subsisting court judgments restraining recognition |
| Impact | PDP crisis deepens; leadership legitimacy unresolved |
🚨 Implications
- For PDP: The party remains divided, with two rival factions claiming legitimacy.
- For INEC: The commission is signaling strict adherence to judicial rulings, avoiding entanglement in internal party disputes.
- For Nigerian Politics: This prolongs instability within the main opposition party, potentially weakening its ability to challenge the ruling party effectively in upcoming elections.
References
Premium Times. (2025, December 23). INEC rejects outcome of PDP Ibadan convention. Premium Times Nigeria. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/ibadan-pdp-convention-inec-rejects
The Guardian Nigeria. (2025, December 23). INEC declines recognition of PDP Ibadan convention leadership. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng/news/inec-declines-recognition-pdp-ibadan-convention
Daily Trust. (2025, December 24). INEC’s rejection deepens PDP crisis after Ibadan convention. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/inec-rejection-pdp-ibadan-convention
