INEC Affirms Wike-Backed PDP, Turaki Insists Abuja Convention Is Illegal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday updated its website to recognise the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), barely 24 hours after the party’s 2026 National Convention in Abuja.

According to the commission’s latest listing, Abdulrahman Mohammed is confirmed as National Chairman, while Samuel Anyanwu is recognised as National Secretary.

The development effectively affirms the party’s national leadership and signals institutional acknowledgment of its current structure following the successful conduct of the convention, where a new National Working Committee (NWC) emerged through a consensus process.

The move comes as the Tanimu Turaki-led  PDP has accused the Wike-backed group of acting in contempt of court by proceeding with the Abuja national convention despite ongoing legal proceedings.

In a statement yesterday, the Turaki group alleged that the Abuja gathering—described by its organisers as a PDP national convention—was held in defiance of the Court of Appeal, where parties had already appeared and agreed on how the leadership dispute should be handled.

According to the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, those behind the convention ignored pending litigation and undertook actions “capable of destroying the res,” a legal term referring to the subject matter under judicial consideration.

The faction further claimed that the organisers had been duly served with processes related to an appeal filed at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, as well as other suits challenging the legitimacy of the convention.

“The validity of that gathering is now a matter before the court, which we will diligently follow to its conclusion,” the statement said.

The development marks a significant escalation in the PDP’s internal crisis, with the accusing faction insisting that the actions of the rival group amount to a disregard for judicial authority.

The statement also referenced a fresh ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which granted a faction reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, access to the party’s national secretariat.

Describing the judgment as unfavourable, the group said it had instructed its legal team to file an immediate appeal, while reiterating earlier concerns over alleged bias by the presiding judge.

Amid the legal battles, the faction maintained that the ultimate resolution of the leadership dispute now rests with the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court would act swiftly in the interest of justice and democracy.

The crisis within the PDP has deepened in recent days, raising concerns about internal cohesion within Nigeria’s main opposition party as it navigates multiple court cases and competing claims to leadership.