The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, aligned with Nyesom Wike, attended the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) quarterly consultative session in Abuja on Thursday, even as factional disputes over party leadership continue.
The delegation was led by Acting Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, Acting Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, who represented the party at the ongoing meeting between political parties and INEC at the commission’s headquarters.
An observation by our correspondent showed Mohammed seated in the front row at the spot marked “PDP Chairman,” while Anyanwu occupied a seat labelled “PDP National Secretary.”
The move comes a day after a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the PDP National Convention that took place on November 15, 2025, ordering Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and others not to act as national officers of the party. Prior to the ruling, a group of PDP governors had endorsed that convention, which elected Turaki and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a four-year term.
Despite that backing, the FCT Minister and his allies — Mohammed and Anyanwu — have maintained that they remain the party’s Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively.
In early December 2025, shortly before Umar Damagum’s tenure as PDP chairman expired, the Wike-aligned faction constituted a 13-member caretaker committee with a 60-day mandate, naming Mohammed, Anyanwu and others to lead the party.
Both this faction and the governors’ bloc had approached INEC seeking formal recognition. However, the electoral body declined to recognise either group, contributing to ongoing legal battles as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
In response to the court’s decision, the Turaki-led PDP National Working Committee, through its Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, said its legal team would immediately appeal and pursue all available remedies.
Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Online, Senator Anyanwu said the caretaker committee was invited to the INEC meeting in its capacity as the recognised PDP leadership.
“Yes, we were invited yesterday as the recognised leadership of the PDP,” Anyanwu said. “We are here to participate in this crucial consultative meeting between INEC and political parties to deliberate on party matters and electoral issues.”
He also welcomed the court ruling, saying it had effectively resolved the internal crisis that had plagued the party. Anyanwu reiterated that under his and Mohammed’s leadership, the party would be restructured and repositioned ahead of future elections.