INEC Officially Recognizes Wike-Backed PDP Leadership, Updates Website To List Abdulrahman Mohammed As National Chairman

INEC updates its website to list Abdulrahman Mohammed as the PDP National Chairman, recognizing the Nyesom Wike-backed faction's Abuja convention.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 11:07 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Legit.ng

INEC Sides With The Wike Faction

In a development that fundamentally shifts the power balance within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially validated the leadership of the Nyesom Wike-backed faction. A recent update to the commission’s website confirms that Abdulrahman Mohammed is now recognized as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This move follows months of internal legal and political maneuvering between a camp loyal to the FCT Minister and a parallel faction led by Kabiru Turaki. By updating its database, INEC has effectively provided the Wike camp with the legal legitimacy required to manage party affairs and nominate candidates for upcoming electoral cycles.

The Moshood Abiola Stadium Convention

The recognition is rooted in the outcomes of the PDP national convention held on March 29, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome in Abuja. Despite attempts by opposing blocs to secure a Supreme Court injunction to stall the event, the convention proceeded, resulting in a new National Working Committee (NWC) aligned with Wike’s interests. During his address to the delegates, Wike declared that the party had been "arrested from the vice grip" of those who lacked internal democracy. He emphasized that the convention successfully returned the party to its "rightful owners" and praised grassroots supporters for their resilience against the "opportunistic elite."

Judicial Hurdles And Parallel Claims

While INEC has updated its records, the internal dispute is far from over in the courts. The parallel faction, which views the Abuja convention as a "jamboree," continues to pursue its case at the Supreme Court. However, INEC’s administrative recognition creates a significant hurdle for the Kabiru Turaki-led group, as the electoral body typically follows the leadership listed in its official registry for all statutory functions. This recognition also complicates the "third-force" narrative, as some PDP members who feel sidelined by the Wike-backed leadership have already begun defecting to other platforms like the African Democratic Congress (ADC).