By Abiola Olawale
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially recognized the National Working Committee (NWC) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
This development serves as a significant blow to the faction led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his allies, who have been locked in a high-stakes battle for the soul of Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a move that clarifies the legal standing of the party’s leadership, INEC updated its website to reflect the NWC members backed by the Wike camp.
Key figures recognized include, National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed;National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, among others.
The commission’s decision follows a string of judicial victories for the Wike-aligned faction. Most notably, the Court of Appeal in Abuja recently dismissed appeals filed by the faction linked to Tanimu Turaki, affirming a Federal High Court ruling that stopped the alternative national convention.
The development also comes hours after Mohammed and other members of the NWC were elected on Sunday at the national convention held at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Speaking at the convention, Wike said the party has successfully overcome the crisis of leadership that threatened its survival.
The FCT minister said loyal party members “fought and returned the party to its rightful owners”.
“Together we fought against proponents of ethnic and geographic divisions; we trounced the naysayers who abandoned the core values upon which the party was built and, in the process, arrested the party from the vice grip of those who abhor internal democracy and shun adherence to the rule of law,” Wike said.
“More importantly, we fought and returned the party to its rightful owners, the people, an accomplishment which speaks to the fundamental principle upon which the party was erected.”
