INEC Recognizes Wike-Backed PDP Faction Amid Ongoing Leadership Crisis

INEC invites and recognizes the Wike-backed PDP faction at its 2026 stakeholders’ meeting, signaling a shift amid the party’s leadership crisis.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a significant step in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape by formally engaging with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The electoral body invited representatives of the Wike-aligned PDP faction to its first quarterly stakeholders’ meeting with political parties for the 2026 political year.

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, marked the first time INEC officially accommodated the group amid the party’s prolonged internal dispute.

The faction was represented by its Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Their presence at the high-level meeting is widely viewed as a strong indication that INEC may be shifting its position on the PDP’s disputed national leadership.

This development follows a recent judgment by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, which affirmed the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee aligned with Wike. Reports indicate that the court also directed INEC to recognize the caretaker leadership, providing a legal foundation for the commission’s latest action.

The PDP has been grappling with deep internal divisions for months, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership structure. These divisions have created uncertainty within the opposition party and raised concerns among stakeholders about its preparedness for future elections.

In a further move that has intensified the internal crisis, the Wike-backed faction recently announced plans to hold a national convention scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2026. However, this decision has been met with resistance from a bloc of PDP governors and other influential party leaders, who have openly rejected the convention and questioned the authority of the caretaker committee.

Political observers say INEC’s engagement with the Wike-aligned group could have far-reaching implications for the party, especially as preparations for upcoming electoral contests gather momentum. While the commission has not issued a detailed public statement clarifying its long-term position, the invitation extended to the faction suggests growing institutional recognition.

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As the leadership tussle continues, many party members and supporters are calling for reconciliation to prevent further fragmentation. Whether the PDP can resolve its internal conflicts ahead of critical political milestones remains a key question in Nigeria’s opposition politics.