INEC Recognition Sparks Fresh PDP Clash

INEC Recognition Sparks Fresh PDP Clash

Tension within the Peoples Democratic Party worsened on Thursday after the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised a caretaker committee linked to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The decision sparked anger from the camp aligned with PDP governors, who insist the move undermines the party’s internal process.

The disagreement became public after INEC invited the Wike-backed caretaker leadership to a quarterly meeting of political parties.

The committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with Samuel Anyanwu as secretary, attended as the recognised PDP leadership, a development that further fuelled the power struggle within the opposition party.

The caretaker group said recent court rulings had settled the leadership dispute and cleared the way for the party to move forward.

It also announced plans to take control of the PDP national headquarters, saying legal and security hurdles delaying the move had been resolved.

The faction maintained that the party would field candidates in future elections.

The governors’ bloc rejected INEC’s action, describing it as unlawful and provocative, and signalled plans to challenge the recognition in court.

Party leaders urged members to remain calm as legal battles continue, while both factions insist they are the rightful leadership, leaving the PDP facing deep uncertainty ahead of upcoming elections.