The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Thursday following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development sparked outrage within the camp loyal to PDP governors, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), who is recognised by that faction as the party’s national chairman.
On Thursday, the caretaker committee chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and caretaker secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were invited to INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. Mohammed occupied a front-row seat labelled “PDP Chairman,” while Anyanwu sat behind him on a seat designated “PDP National Secretary.”
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Anyanwu said the committee was invited as the recognised leadership of the PDP.
“Yes, we were invited as the recognised leadership of the PDP to participate in this crucial consultative meeting between INEC and political parties to deliberate on party and electoral issues,” he said.
According to Anyanwu, a recent court judgment had resolved the leadership crisis within the party, adding that the caretaker committee was fully prepared to reposition the PDP ahead of future elections.
He also disclosed that the PDP would field candidates in the 2027 general elections, noting that the caretaker committee would take over Wadata Plaza, the party’s national headquarters, on Monday.
“Last Friday, the Federal High Court made it clear that the leadership issue is over, as the so-called convention of November 15 and 16, 2025, was declared a nullity. The only recognised body with powers to act for the party is the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed,” Anyanwu stated.
Explaining the delay in taking over the party secretariat, he said outstanding legal and security issues were being addressed, adding that a previous attempt by the Turaki faction to prevent their access through the police was overturned by the court.
“By Monday, we are taking over the office,” he said, assuring members that the resolution of the crisis would enable the PDP to present candidates in forthcoming elections.
However, governors aligned with the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) are considering legal action over INEC’s recognition of the Wike-backed caretaker committee.
In a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led group condemned INEC’s action, describing it as unconstitutional and provocative.
The statement urged party members to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of ongoing court cases on the leadership dispute.
“We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are parading a so-called National Caretaker Committee, a body unknown to our constitution,” the statement read.
Ememobong warned that the action could provoke unrest but would be met with all lawful responses, stressing that INEC lacks the authority to impose leadership on the PDP.
He added that the matters are still before the Court of Appeal and urged INEC to have exercised restraint, pending the final determination of the cases.
The Turaki-led NWC reaffirmed its confidence in the party’s ability to overcome the crisis and emerge stronger.
“We assure Nigerians that the rebirth of our party under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) remains steady and secure, and that the PDP will emerge more united as a credible alternative to the ruling party,” Ememobong said.
On Friday, a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15, 2025, and directed Turaki and others who emerged from the convention to stop parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Prior to the judgment, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, which elected Turaki and members of the NWC for a four-year term. Although the governors facilitated a transition from former chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction had earlier constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed, Anyanwu and others for a 60-day mandate.
Both factions later approached INEC for recognition, but the commission initially declined to acknowledge either group, resulting in multiple legal battles.
Following Friday’s court ruling, the Turaki-led NWC announced plans to immediately appeal the judgment and pursue all legal remedies.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction welcomed the court’s decision restraining Turaki and others from acting as the party’s NWC, and pledged to organise a fresh national convention to elect new party leaders.
Anyanwu, speaking for the faction, insisted that the ruling had effectively brought an end to the PDP’s internal leadership crisis.
Elijah Adeyemi
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