INEC’s recognition of a Wike-backed PDP caretaker committee has escalated the party’s leadership crisis, triggering outrage and fresh legal threats from the Makinde-aligned governors’ bloc.
The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party intensified on Thursday after the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised a caretaker committee backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The move angered the governors’ bloc loyal to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN). At INEC’s quarterly meeting, Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu occupied seats labelled “PDP Chairman” and “PDP National Secretary,” signalling official recognition of the faction.
After the meeting, Anyanwu said, “Yes, we were invited yesterday as the recognised leadership of the PDP,” adding that court rulings had resolved the crisis and the party would field candidates in 2027. However, the Turaki-led camp faulted INEC’s action as unconstitutional, vowing legal redress and urging members to remain calm pending appeal court decisions.