The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, ending months of uncertainty within the opposition party.
Mohammed’s faction is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and INEC’s official website now lists him as the PDP National Chairman.
Other members of the recognised NWC include Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, Ahmed Mohammed as National Treasurer, Daniel Woyengikuro as National Financial Secretary, and Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, as National Legal Adviser.
The recognition came a day after the PDP held its national convention at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where over 2,000 delegates from all 36 states participated in the election of the party’s top officials.
The event drew prominent figures, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Samuel Ortom of Benue.
The PDP has been mired in an internal leadership crisis that resulted in the emergence of two rival factions.
The faction led by Tanimu Turaki, supported by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has long claimed leadership of the party, while the Wike-backed group has maintained control over the party machinery in the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis intensified following a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025, which quickly led to a series of legal battles.
On March 9, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling that restrained the PDP from conducting the Ibadan convention, citing violations of the party’s constitutional provisions.
Later, on March 23, a three-member appellate panel dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja court.
The Turaki faction has since approached the Supreme Court to contest the ruling.
With INEC’s recognition of the Wike-backed faction, Abdulrahman Mohammed and his team now have the official mandate to steer the party’s affairs as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The decision provided clarity and stability for party operations, ending months of uncertainty over the PDP’s leadership structure.
