The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday officially recognized a faction of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development was confirmed when INEC updated the PDP’s leadership structure on its official website, which included members of the party’s national executive.
INEC has accepted Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, among other significant officials.
Mohammed and Anyanwu emerged from the PDP National Convention, which took place on Sunday night at the velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja. Members of the NWC were re-elected by agreement following the collapse of the party’s National Caretaker Committee.
The electoral umpire also recognized Aaron Chukwuemeka — Deputy National Chairman (South), Yusufu Akirikwen — Deputy National Chairman (North), and Kolawale Olabisi — Deputy National Secretary.
Odeyemi Oladiran—National Treasurer; Lado Marke—Deputy National Treasurer; and Eyim Henry—National Financial Secretary.
Also recognized are Grema Kyari — Deputy National Financial Secretary; Umar Bature — National Organizing Secretary; Efere Augustine — Deputy National Organizing Secretary; Jungudo Mohammed — National Publicity Secretary; Egwu Chidiebere — Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade — National Legal Adviser; and Aloysius Uba — Deputy National Legal Adviser.
Also on the INEC list are Osuoha Donatus — National Auditor; Adaba Seri Yatu — Deputy National Auditor; Ogunshe Adedayo — National Women Leader; Hauwa Shinge — Deputy National Women Leader; Ibrahim Aboki — National Youth Leader; and Momoh Bashir — Deputy National Youth Leader.
The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a faction of the PDP led by former Minister Tanimu Turaki (SAN) to refrain from accessing or interfering with the party’s national secretariat.
The order was issued in response to a suit filed by a rival faction of the party loyal to the FCT minister.
The judge ruled that members of the Turaki-led faction, which emerged from the party’s November 2025 convention, have no legal standing.
The court also required security authorities, such as the police and the Department of State Services, to provide necessary protection to the plaintiffs while using the secretariat.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the convention, held between November 15 and 16, 2025, which created the opposing faction, violated the constitution, the PDP constitution, and existing court judgments.
She ruled that all convention decisions, including official elections and member suspensions, were “unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect.”
The judgment also prohibited the INEC from recognizing any leadership that emerged from the conference.
On November 21, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a petition in court, requesting that the Turaki-led side refrain from claiming leadership of the party and seizing control of its national secretariat.
They also sought the court to order INEC and security services to enforce prior rulings issued by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, which prohibited the convention from taking place.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants violated existing court directives, which were ultimately upheld by the Court of Appeals.
She stated that Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution requires all authorities and individuals to enforce decisions of courts with competent authority.
The judge also dismissed the defendants’ preliminary objections contesting the court’s jurisdiction and the suit’s competency.
She ruled that the matter was about enforcing constitutional provisions and previous court rulings, not only an internal party quarrel.
Justice Abdulmalik also rejected an appeal to disqualify herself from the case, citing the charges of bias as baseless.
She stated that charges of prejudice must be supported by reliable evidence and that there was no information before the court to justify such a request.
The court emphasized that, despite contradicting rulings from an Oyo State High Court, the Federal High Court’s existing judgments, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal, were binding.
The Turaki-led faction held the convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, electing members of the National Working Committee and suspending several party officials affiliated with the Wike side.
Those affected included the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, as well as other party leaders.
However, on March 9, the Court of Appeal upheld prior verdicts that invalidated the treaty.
In response, plaintiffs’ attorney, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), stated that the decision had strengthened his clients’ case and validated the faction’s new convention on March 29.
