The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed this position in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.
The commission explained that it had received multiple requests from legal representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging it to recognise and upload on its website the list of national officers reportedly elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
INEC said the requests were carefully examined “in the light of all material facts, extant laws, and subsisting court judgments touching directly on the subject matter.”
According to the commission, attention was drawn to two judgments of the Federal High Court 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 noted that both judgments “expressly restrained” the commission 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 existing 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 the law is settled that the filing of 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),” the commission said.
INEC also addressed references made to interim orders issued by the Oyo State High Court, clarifying that the commission had already been struck out of the suit for lack of jurisdiction. It added that interim orders cannot override or nullify subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.
The commission further revealed that another suit instituted by the PDP is currently pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, where the party is seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the National Working Committee and members of the National Executive Committee said to have emerged from the Ibadan convention.
“In light of the pending suits, your request is prejudicial and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the appeals.
“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 the National Officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention of 15th–16th November, 2025,” the commission stated.
INEC added that this position had earlier been clearly communicated to the PDP leadership during a meeting held at the commission’s headquarters on Friday, December 19, 2025, reaffirming its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.