*We’ll Field Candidates In 2027, Take Over Secretariat Monday, Says Mohammed-Led PDP
*Turaki Faction Questions Recognition Of Wike Camp
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in compliance with a subsisting court order, has formally recognised the National Caretaker Committee faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyelsom Wike, and led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
This is because Mohammed and Acting National Secretary of the committee, Samuel Anyanwu, were the PDP leaders that attended the first quarterly meeting between the Commission and only national chairmen and national secretaries of all registered parties recognised by the Commission.
Recall that the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on January 30, nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025 and directed the Commission, in a judgment, to recognise the Mohammed-led committee as the genuine leadership of the party
Ostensibly buoyed by this decision, the Mohammed-led faction has dismissed fears that it will not field candidates for next year’s general election, noting it was now well-positioned to have candidates.
In addition, the faction stated announced plans to take over the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Monday, February 9.
Speaking on the sidelines of the INEC Consultative Meeting with Political Parties in Abuja, Anyanwu, alongside Mohammed, declared that the era of leadership ambiguity within the party was over.
He stated: “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 15 and 16, 2025, is a nullity and that no other person should parade himself or herself as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
“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 NWC led by Mohammed.”
Anyanwu explained that legal and security hurdles had to be cleared for the faction to take over the national secretariat, saying a recent attempt by the Tanimu Turaki faction to use the Police to block their access was dismissed by the courts.
“Police took over the place and then the other group went to court to ask Police to reopen, and the matter was dismissed, because they had no locus. So, by Monday, we are taking over the office,” he stated.
Anyanwu reassured party faithful that the resolution of the crisis ensures the party’s ability to field candidates in upcoming elections, adding: “Party members are already happy, because those who were afraid that PDP will not have candidates in the next coming elections, it is now settled that the party will fill candidates from A to Z.”
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has condemned INEC for officially recognising the committee, describing the action as unconstitutional and provocative.
The faction, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Thursday, vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to challenge the action.
Ememobong urged PDP members to remain calm and patient, as the leadership dispute continues in the courts, describing INEC’s recognition of the caretaker committee as vexatious and unconstitutional, as it should have exercised restraint given pending appeals in the court of appeal.
The statement read: “We are aware that INEC invited 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, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though capable of causing unrest, will be met with all possible legal responses. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.
“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon determine all cases concerning the leadership of our party.
“We assure that the Rebirth Movement of our party, under the leadership of Turaki, is steady and secure and will ultimately surmount all challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”
Both the Governors’ bloc, led by Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and the Wike-backed faction had approached INEC for official recognition, but the Commission initially declined to acknowledge either side, sparking multiple legal disputes ahead of next year’s general elections.
Ahead of the expiration of former the tenure of its former chairman, Umar Damagum, on December 9, last year, the Wike-backed camp had established the 13-member committee on December 8, giving it a 60-day mandate.
