PDP crisis deepens as INEC’s nod to Wike-backed team sparks fresh backlash

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Thursday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally engaged a caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a move that immediately drew sharp reactions from the camp loyal to PDP governors.

The development followed INEC’s recognition of a caretaker leadership headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Samuel Anyanwu as caretaker secretary—an arrangement strongly opposed by the faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), which enjoys the backing of PDP governors.

Tensions heightened when Mohammed and Anyanwu were invited to INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. At the meeting, Mohammed occupied a front-row seat marked “PDP Chairman,” while Anyanwu sat directly behind him in a seat labelled “PDP National Secretary,” a symbolic gesture that reinforced INEC’s position.

Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, Anyanwu confirmed the recognition of the caretaker committee, saying, “Yes, we were invited yesterday as the recognised leadership of the PDP, and we are here to participate in this crucial consultative meeting between INEC and political parties to deliberate on party matters and electoral issues.”

He further declared that recent judicial pronouncements had settled the party’s leadership dispute. According to him, “The recent court judgment has effectively resolved the crisis that had been affecting the PDP. The party’s leadership remains intact under Abdulrahman Mohammed and me, and we are fully prepared to reposition the party ahead of future elections.”

Anyanwu also assured that the PDP would be fully represented in the 2027 general election, adding that the caretaker committee was set to assume control of the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza. He said, “Last Friday, as a matter of fact, the Federal High Court made it very clear that the problem of leadership is over, because the so-called convention of November 15th, 16th, 2025, is a nullity and that no other person should parade himself or herself as a member of the National Working Committee of the PDP.

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“That the only recognised body of the PDP that has the full powers to speak for the party, to work for the party, is the National Working Committee led by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed.”

Explaining the delay in taking over the party headquarters, Anyanwu cited unresolved legal and security concerns, noting that attempts by the rival faction to block access had failed in court. He stated, “Police took over the place, and then the other group went to court to ask the police to reopen, and the matter was dismissed because they had no locus. So, by Monday, we are taking over the office.”

Reassuring party faithful, he added, “Party members are pleased, as concerns that the PDP might not field candidates in the upcoming elections have been resolved; the party will now present candidates across all positions.”

However, the Turaki-led National Working Committee swiftly condemned INEC’s action and signalled plans to challenge it legally. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction described INEC’s recognition of the Wike-backed caretaker committee as unconstitutional and deliberately provocative.

The statement cautioned party members to remain calm while legal processes run their course. It read in part, “We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.”

Ememobong warned of possible consequences, adding, “This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing a widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal responses.”

He further criticised INEC for failing to exercise restraint despite ongoing appeals, stating, “Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal (including the judgment which they are relying upon), which, when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration, and exercised restraint therefrom.”

Maintaining that INEC lacks the authority to impose leadership on the party, he said, “We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.”

He added, “Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that, soonest, the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party.”

The Turaki-led NWC expressed confidence that the party would overcome the crisis, with Ememobong declaring, “We assure that the rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears, and blood to Nigerians.”

The latest dispute follows a judgment delivered on Friday by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15, 2025, and ordered Turaki and others elected at the convention to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the party.

Prior to the ruling, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and members of the NWC for a four-year term. However, amid the controversy, the Wike-aligned bloc constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed, Anyanwu, and others for a 60-day mandate.

Both factions subsequently approached INEC for recognition, a request the commission initially declined, triggering a wave of legal battles.

Following the Ibadan judgment, the Turaki-led NWC announced plans to appeal, while the Wike-backed faction welcomed the ruling and pledged to organise a fresh national convention. Speaking for the bloc, Anyanwu maintained that the court decision had finally put an end to the PDP’s protracted leadership crisis.

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