The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) engagement with a caretaker committee linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The development triggered strong reactions from rival factions within the party, particularly those aligned with leaders backing a different National Working Committee (NWC).
The dispute intensified when members of the Wike-backed caretaker committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and secretary Samuel Anyanwu, attended a quarterly meeting between INEC and political parties. Their presence was widely interpreted as a sign of recognition, coming shortly after a Federal High Court ruling that weakened the opposing faction’s claim to leadership.
Supporters of the caretaker committee argue that recent court judgments have effectively settled the leadership dispute, clearing the way for the party to focus on rebuilding and preparing for future elections, including the 2027 general elections. They also maintain that the committee remains the lawful authority to manage party affairs until a valid national convention is conducted.
Information Nigeria
The legal battle stems largely from the November 2025 PDP national convention held in Ibadan, which produced a rival leadership. However, a Federal High Court later nullified that convention, ruling that it violated existing court orders and restraining those elected from presenting themselves as national officers of the party. The court also held that the caretaker committee should remain the recognised leadership pending a fresh and lawful convention.
Despite this, the Turaki-aligned faction has rejected INEC’s actions and vowed to pursue all legal options to challenge both the court ruling and the commission’s recognition of the caretaker committee. The group has accused INEC of interfering in internal party matters and insists that the final decision should rest with the courts.
The ongoing crisis highlights deep divisions within the PDP as it struggles to maintain unity and relevance as a major opposition party. With multiple court cases still pending and political tensions rising, the outcome of the legal battles will likely determine the party’s structure and electoral readiness ahead of future national elections.
