The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, drawing a line under weeks of tension that followed the party’s national convention.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) updated its public portal on Friday to reflect the new National Working Committee, nearly a month after the party elected its leadership at a convention in Abuja on 28 March.
Baba-Ahmed, a former special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, had emerged as chairman at the gathering, which was monitored by Inec. But the commission’s failure to promptly upload the names of the new executives triggered unease within party ranks.
The delay escalated into a public row this week after the party’s publicity secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, raised concerns over the omission, prompting a wave of criticism from members and supporters.
In a statement issued before the update, Baba-Ahmed sought to calm nerves, insisting that the absence of the party’s leadership on the commission’s portal did not invalidate its authority or operations.
“The party wishes to assure its members … that efforts are being made to get Inec to upload these details,” he said, adding that the leadership remained legally constituted despite the administrative lag.
Frustration nevertheless spilled onto social media, with aggrieved members questioning the delay and warning of reputational damage to a party long regarded as one of Nigeria’s oldest political platforms.
Inec’s subsequent update, which also listed key officials including national secretary Kanu Uchenna, treasurer Bayawo Abdullahi, financial secretary Chuka Patrick and legal adviser Vincent Okudu, appears to have resolved the dispute.
The move signals formal recognition of the party’s new leadership and restores a measure of stability after days of uncertainty that threatened to overshadow its post-convention momentum.
