December 19, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it is awaiting the judgement of an appeal court on ongoing legal challenges surrounding the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before taking any further action on recognising or validating the party’s leadership structures and electoral processes, political sources said on Friday.
According to insiders familiar with the matter, INEC’s position stems from a protracted internal crisis within the PDP, where rival factions have been locked in competing bids for control of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT). The commission’s stance to await a Court of Appeal ruling reflects its desire to avoid intervening prematurely in a dispute that is still before the judiciary.
The leadership crisis has its roots in conflicting court judgments issued earlier this year. A Federal High Court in Abuja had issued orders restricting INEC from validating or monitoring parts of the PDP’s national convention process, partly because the party was alleged to have violated its own constitution and the Electoral Act in convening state congresses and delegate elections. Justice James Omotosho’s judgement effectively restrained INEC from giving legal recognition to outcomes until the party complied fully with legal conditions.
However, a subsequent certificated true copy (CTC) issued by an Oyo State High Court granted the party an interim right to hold a convention in Ibadan, which deepened the dispute between factions and prompted divergent interpretations of which judicial order should prevail. One faction, led by Acting National Chairman Dr. Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, appealed the Federal High Court ruling to the Court of Appeal, seeking clarification on leadership and internal party processes.
INEC’s leadership has reiterated that it cannot unilaterally choose which faction to recognise when the matter remains sub judice — that is, pending determination before a higher court. The electoral body has stressed the importance of judicial clarity before it formally engages with any party leadership on matters such as candidate nominations, party congress oversight, and election monitoring responsibilities.
In the meantime, INEC has reportedly called both warring PDP factions for a troubleshooting meeting at its headquarters in Abuja as part of efforts to understand each group’s position ahead of the appeal court’s decision. Leaders from the Tanimu Turaki-led faction and the Wike-backed Abdulrahman Mohammed faction attended the session, which emphasised the commission’s interest in political stability and lawful party operations.
Political analysts say INEC’s insistence on awaiting the Court of Appeal ruling reflects broader concerns about setting precedents in electoral administration and party recognition ahead of major political events, including the 2026 general elections. Without clear judicial direction, the commission risks being dragged into internal party politics, undermining its statutory neutrality and constitutional role as Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
The Court of Appeal’s determination is now widely anticipated by both factions, with legal teams expected to present arguments on constitutional compliance, party democracy and the appropriate interpretation of competing high-court orders. A final decision could emerge early in 2026, potentially resolving a dispute that has plagued one of Nigeria’s major political parties for much of the year.