Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, deepening the leadership dispute within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development became evident during INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting with registered political parties in Abuja, where Abdulrahman Mohammed, head of the disputed caretaker committee, attended alongside Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s Acting National Secretary.
Attendance at the meeting is traditionally limited to national chairmen and national secretaries officially acknowledged by the electoral body, a detail observers say carries institutional weight.
The PDP has remained embroiled in internal conflict since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, with rival factions aligned with Wike and other influential blocs contesting control of the party’s leadership structure. The dispute has largely revolved around the office of national secretary and authority over the National Working Committee, leading to parallel leadership claims.
The crisis moved to the courts, culminating in a ruling by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which directed INEC to recognise the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee as the party’s legitimate leadership.
Although the judgment continues to generate resistance within sections of the PDP, INEC’s recent engagement is viewed as a reflection of compliance with the court order.
Political analysts say the development could significantly alter the PDP’s internal power dynamics as the party moves toward the 2027 general elections, with ongoing realignments expected within Nigeria’s opposition space.
