• INEC has updated its official portal to recognise Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party
• The update came less than 24 hours after PRP members protested the omission of newly elected party executives
• Baba-Ahmed was elected PRP chairman during the party’s national convention in Abuja on March 28, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially updated its portal to recognise Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, bringing clarity to the party’s leadership structure after days of tension and public complaints.

The update, made on Friday, May 1, also reflected other newly elected members of the party’s National Working Committee, ending concerns that had trailed their omission from the commission’s records.

The move came less than 24 hours after party members openly questioned why the names of the new executives were missing from the electoral body’s portal.

Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, was elected chairman of the PRP during the party’s national convention held in Abuja on March 28, 2026.

Despite the convention being monitored by INEC, the names of the newly elected officials were not uploaded for nearly a month, triggering unease within the party.

The delay first drew public attention on Thursday, April 30, after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, raised the alarm. Baba-Ahmed later issued a statement expressing concern over the omission and the uncertainty it had created among members and supporters.

The statement read, “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 omission had sparked criticism from aggrieved party supporters, many of whom took to social media to express frustration over the delay and demand clarity from the commission.

However, in a swift turnaround, INEC updated its portal within 24 hours, listing Baba-Ahmed and other members of the PRP’s National Working Committee.

Other officials now listed on the commission’s portal include Kanu Uchenna as National Secretary, Bayawo Abdullahi as National Treasurer, Chuka Patrick as National Financial Secretary and Vincent Okudu as National Legal Adviser.

The update effectively confirms INEC’s formal recognition of the PRP’s new leadership and closes the brief chapter of uncertainty that followed the party’s March convention.

INEC receives new national commissioner Jamila Manafa as 2027 poll preparations intensify

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission officially welcomed Jamila Manafa as its newest National Commissioner following her swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, a move seen as significant as the electoral body ramps up preparations for future elections.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said her appointment restores full representation for the North-East geopolitical zone, which had remained vacant for more than a year, and strengthens the commission’s ability to make critical decisions as preparations for upcoming elections gather pace.