DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

INEC recognizes Baba-Ahmed as PRP chairman after party outcry

From The Punch · (5m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its portal to recognize Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
  • This update follows protests and public outcry over the omission of the newly elected PRP executives from INEC's records after their March 28 convention.
  • The PRP, one of Nigeria's oldest parties, had elected Baba-Ahmed, formerly Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, as its chairman.

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) can now officially claim its new leadership after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) swiftly updated its portal to reflect the party's National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and other National Working Committee members. This move comes as a relief to party faithful who had voiced significant concerns and protests over the delay in formal recognition following the PRP's convention on March 28, 2026.

The national leadership of the Peoples Redemption Party has been inundated with enquiries over the absence of the names of key Officers of the Party on the INEC portal, following our successful convention on 28th March, 2026, which was observed by INEC.

— Hakeem Baba-AhmedStatement from the PRP National Chairman questioning the delay in INEC's recognition of the party's newly elected leadership.

For nearly a month, the electoral umpire's failure to upload the names of the newly elected executives had caused anxiety within the party ranks. The PRP's National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, initially raised the alarm, with Baba-Ahmed himself questioning the delay despite INEC's presence at the convention. The party leadership assured members and the public that efforts were underway to rectify the omission, emphasizing that the delay did not legally hinder the party's operations or the legitimacy of its new leadership.

The Party wishes to assure its members, the Public, and those expressing interest in joining the Party that efforts are being made to get INEC to upload these details.

— Hakeem Baba-AhmedPRP National Chairman addressing concerns over the delayed INEC portal update.

The swift turnaround by INEC, updating its portal within 24 hours of renewed public outcry and internal pressure, signals a commitment to transparency and responsiveness. The inclusion of Baba-Ahmed, National Secretary Kanu Uchenna, National Treasurer Bayawo Abdullahi, National Financial Secretary Chuka Patrick, and National Legal Adviser Vincent Okudu, formally concludes the period of uncertainty. This recognition is crucial for the PRP as it continues to engage with the public and welcome new members, solidifying its position as one of Nigeria's enduring political forces.

It is important to state that the absence of the names of the current leadership of the Party on the INEC portal does not represent any legal hindrance for it to operate or a threat to the legality of the leadership of the Party.

— Hakeem Baba-AhmedPRP National Chairman clarifying the legal standing of the party's leadership despite the INEC portal omission.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog