By Yinka Giwa
The Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has dismissed concerns that the party may be unable to field candidates in the 2027 general election, insisting that the leadership crisis has been resolved and preparations are on course.
The faction, which is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), also announced plans to take over the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by Monday, as the internal power struggle within the PDP intensified.
Speaking on the sidelines of INEC’s consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alongside Mohammed, declared that the era of leadership uncertainty in the party was over.
The development followed a judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on January 30, 2026, which nullified the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan between November 15 and 16, 2025.
INEC had invited the Wike-backed PDP faction, as well as the court-reinstated leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman of the Labour Party, to the consultative meeting.
The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led group said the court ruling effectively displaced the rival faction and affirmed its authority to manage the party’s affairs.
“Last Friday, the Federal High Court made it very clear that the leadership problem is over, because the so-called convention of November 15 and 16, 2025, is a nullity, and that no other person should parade himself or herself as a member of the National Working Committee of the PDP,” Anyanwu said.
He added that the court affirmed that “the only recognised body of the PDP with full powers to speak and act for the party is the National Working Committee led by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed.”
Explaining why the faction had yet to occupy the party headquarters, Anyanwu said certain legal and security issues needed to be addressed.
He alleged that a rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki had previously enlisted the police to block access to the secretariat, but said the move was struck out by the court.
“Police took over the place and the other group went to court to ask the police to reopen it. The matter was dismissed because they had no locus. So, by Monday, we are taking over the office,” he said.
Anyanwu assured party members that the resolution of the leadership dispute meant the PDP would participate fully in future elections.
“Those who were afraid that PDP will not have candidates in the next elections should be rest assured. It is now settled that the party will field candidates from A to Z,” he said.
Reacting to comments by the INEC Chairman on the frequent crises within political parties and the possibility of deregistration, Anyanwu said such concerns did not apply to the PDP.
“We have no problem. We have no faction. We have just one leadership,” he insisted.
On the registration of two new political parties, bringing the total number to 21, Anyanwu described the development as positive, noting that one of the new parties emerged following a court ruling in Lokoja.
He also declined to comment on reports that the Senate had resolved not to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory, describing the reports as speculative.
“The white paper is not out yet. We have not seen the clear report of what the Senate has said, so I cannot comment on that,” he said.