Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the country’s electoral management body, has formally recognised a faction of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of Nigeria’s main opposition political parties, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development became public on Monday when the commission updated the leadership structure of the party on its official website. The listing reflected Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, alongside other members of the party’s national leadership.
Both officials emerged during the Peoples Democratic Party National Convention held on Sunday night at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The convention followed the dissolution of the party’s national caretaker committee, after which new National Working Committee members were selected by consensus.
Okay News reports that the recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission is significant because it signals which leadership structure the electoral body will engage with for official party matters, including candidate nominations, internal communications, and electoral compliance.
The National Working Committee is the highest administrative organ of the party, responsible for day to day management, organisation of conventions, and coordination of party activities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those listed by the commission are Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman for the southern region, Yusufu Akirikwen as Deputy National Chairman for the northern region, Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary, Odeyemi Oladiran as National Treasurer, and Lado Marke as Deputy National Treasurer.
Other members include Eyim Henry as National Financial Secretary, Grema Kyari as Deputy National Financial Secretary, Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary, Efere Augustine as Deputy National Organising Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed as National Publicity Secretary, Egwu Chidiebere as Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Legal Adviser, and Aloysius Uba as Deputy National Legal Adviser.
The list also features Osuoha Donatus as National Auditor, Adaba Seri Yatu as Deputy National Auditor, Ogunshe Adedayo as National Women Leader, Hauwa Shinge as Deputy National Women Leader, Ibrahim Aboki as National Youth Leader, and Momoh Bashir as Deputy National Youth Leader.
The recognition is expected to shape internal party dynamics, especially as competing factions continue to contest control of the opposition party ahead of future political activities. Observers say the commission’s decision may influence legal and organisational disputes within the party, particularly regarding authority over official communications and nominations.
What happens next will likely involve reactions from other factions within the Peoples Democratic Party and potential legal or political moves to challenge or consolidate the recognised leadership structure.
