INEC recognises PRP leaders one month after convention

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, one month after the party’s national convention.

The commission updated its portal on Friday to reflect the new members of the National Working Committee of the PRP, bringing an end to days of uncertainty and agitation within the party.

The PRP, one of Nigeria’s oldest surviving political parties, had elected Baba-Ahmed—former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima—at its convention held in Abuja on March 28, 2026.

But despite the exercise being monitored by INEC, the electoral body had failed to upload the names of the new executives on its portal weeks after the convention, raising concerns among party members and supporters.

The situation escalated on Thursday when the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, raised the alarm over the omission.

This was followed by a statement from Baba-Ahmed, who questioned the delay and sought to reassure members of the party’s legitimacy.

He said, “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.

“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.

“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. The Party wishes to state that it is actively engaging members of the Public who are registering in huge numbers.”

The delay triggered backlash from aggrieved members, many of whom took to social media to express their displeasure over the development.

However, barely 24 hours after the outcry, INEC updated its records to include Baba-Ahmed and other members of the party’s National Working Committee, including National Secretary, Kanu Uchenna; National Treasurer, Bayawo Abdullahi; National Financial Secretary, Chuka Patrick; and National Legal Adviser, Vincent Okudu.

The update signals the commission’s formal recognition of the PRP’s new leadership, effectively resolving the brief controversy that trailed the party’s convention.